Observations on Abortion / Containing an account of the manner in which it is accomplished, the causes which produced it, and the method of preventing or treating it

by John Burns

This has an excellent effect in making the uterus contract, and often is the method which nature takes to bring about recovery.

This complaint is different from the menorrhagia lochialis, or copious discharge of blood brought on by exertion after abortion or delivery. In this case we have no large clot discharged, but just the usual appearances of menorrhagia. This sometimes seems to become associated with other morbid conditions of the system: and in those cases is more or less obstinate as they are intractable. It is generally cured by rest, the application of cold, and the use of the digitalis. The consequent weakness is removed by bark, or preparation of iron, with the cold bath.

Either of these discharges are very apt to produce painful headachs, vertigo, and often slight paralytic symptoms, which, however, soon go off. Any considerable increase of the hemorrhage gives relief to the headach, but it returns afterwards with greater violence.

It is frequently relieved by the use of small doses of the saline laxatives. In protracted cases, especially when the headach puts on an intermittent form, observing pretty regular periods, the bark combined with valerian will be of service.

Sometimes the mind is affected after abortion, although we may have had little discharge; and the person becomes either melancholy, or, which is much oftener the case, mad, with great volubility of tongue. This mania is, in general, sudden in its attack, and is often preceded by a violent fit of palpitation, or some other nervous affection.

It occasionally alternates with external pain or swelling of some of the joints; and, though frequently a tedious complaint, is oftener got the better of than any other species of mania. The head, upon a general principle, ought to be shaved and blistered, and a free discharge kept up from it. The bowels are to be carefully attended to, and no indurated faces should be allowed to remain in them. The camphorated emulsion may be given through the day in its usual quantity; and a full dose of extract of hyosciamus exhibited at night. The patient is to be kept, in every respect, as quiet and easy as possible.

Another distressing consequence of abortion, as well as of labour at the full time, is hysteria appearing in various forms, but more especially under that of palpitation of the heart. This attacks suddenly, often in consequence of a fright.

The patient has a violent beating in the breast, and sometimes a sense of suffocation. She feels also a knocking within the head, attended with a sense of heat, and often a redness in the face. The pulse becomes extremely rapid and irregular, and continues so until the fit goes off, which sometimes is not for a considerable time.

During the paroxysm, the patient is much terrified, and impressed with a belief that she is going to die. After it is over, the mind is left timid, and the body in a state of languor. Sometimes the fit is succeeded by a profuse perspiration, whilst betwixt the attacks the temperature is very versatile.

This, like all other complaints of the same class, is very obstinate; but it is not in general dangerous, unless when it proceeds from uterine disease, marked by pain in the hypogastric region and tension of the belly. In this case, the danger is great, and is only to be averted by the early use of purgatives, followed by antispasmodics, whilst fomentations are applied to the belly.