Antisepsis.—Cleanliness and antisepsis should be observed in the management of abortion as strictly as in that of labor or in surgical operations, as sepsis, either in the form of acute infection or an insidious undermining of the constitution, is among the more frequent of the dangerous consequences which follow in the wake of abortion. Circumstances permitting, it is desirable that carbolated vaseline or vaseline with iodoform, carbolated or some similarly prepared soap, be on hand, and also permanganate of potassium, carbolic or boracic acid, and iodoform. I am in the habit of prescribing carbolic acid for the convenience of use: carbolic acid 2 ounces, alcohol 1 ounce, with 7 of glycerin, which is as concentrated as may be well used (1 to 5, or 20 per cent.), and a proportion readily diluted to 2½ or 5 per cent.
Before and after examinations the hand should be washed in carbolated water or some such disinfectant—permanganate of potassium, corrosive sublimate, or boracic acid—as it appears desirable to use. If carbolic acid is used, the parts should be cleansed with a 2 or 3 per cent. solution. After interference or repeated examinations the vaginal douche should be used, certainly after completion before leaving the patient. If instrumental interference be necessary, and the ovum or membranes forcibly removed, the cavity of the uterus should be washed with hot water, from 115° to 125° F., containing 5 per cent. of carbolic acid, the hot water serving styptic purposes. This may suffice, but it is frequently desirable to mop the cavity with the above-named solution or even the pure liquid after more active interference, especially if some disintegration has taken place and is indicated by odor.
After the use of tampons the vagina should be washed with a 2 or 3 per cent. solution, or 1:2000, of corrosive sublimate; and it is even well that the cotton, before being introduced, should be anointed with either carbolized vaseline or carbolized oil (carbolic acid 2 drachms, olive oil 3 ounces). Iodoform serves an excellent purpose for disinfection of tampons, especially such as are packed into or against the cervix, and as an application to the cavity after the removal of the putrid contents following the hot douche. Borated cotton, or even ordinary cotton or prepared tow, should be on hand to use during the after-treatment in place of cloths for the purpose of receiving the discharge: it is warm, soft, forms a good filter, and can be thrown away or burnt when soiled, whilst the cloths ordinarily used, and often very offensive, are kept for the wash.
Medication.—The most important of all the remedies is opium; in preventive treatment it may be called a specific. It is far preferable to the hypodermic injection of morphine, serving to relax and quiet the uterine muscle and to lessen hemorrhage; for the latter purpose it is often combined with acetate of lead—from ¼ to 1 grain of opium mixed with ½ to 1 grain of acetate of lead, to be given at a dose and repeated when necessary. Ipecacuanha combined with opium acts well in relaxing the tension.
Viburnum prunifolium has long been used as a uterine sedative in these cases in those States where the plant is endogenous, and its use has been widely disseminated since it has found so able an advocate in Jenks. The preparations are not all equally effective, but in the early stages the fluid extract given in teaspoonful doses, according to the amount of hemorrhage and pain either hourly or every two or three hours, has a most decided effect in allaying threatened abortion, in checking hemorrhage, and in quieting pains. It seems to be a uterine sedative. Several ounces may be taken, and successful cases are reported where the pending expulsion was averted and gestation continued to a successful termination after four ounces had been used. Digitalis combined with acetate of lead also deserves recommendation as an effective remedy in the early stages. Quinine may be given to stimulate the system and further uterine contraction, and is invaluable in an asthenic condition or if disintegrating shreds be present.
Nervines, valerian, asafoetida, valerianate of ammonia, bromide of potassium, are of great service throughout the entire course of abortion, as the patient is usually in a nervous almost febrile state. Alone they may serve to allay the irritating symptoms in the early stages, and answer well in preventing the disagreeable effects of opium. Asafoetida may be given by injection or in pills, from ½ to 2 grains at a dose.
Clysmata tend to irritate, and should not be used as long as we may hope to prevent threatened abortion. Such remedies as are indicated in the treatment of this condition, especially opium and nervines, must nevertheless at times be given by injection, as the stomach may refuse to receive and retain them in the irritated condition which accompanies this state. The clysms should always be warmed, of body temperature: two tablespoonfuls of milk of asafoetida or gum arabic form an excellent vehicle, though water or milk thickened with flour or starch, which is always on hand, will do quite well.
Should it be necessary to move the bowels, castor oil is one of the best remedies, whilst cathartics, especially aloes and similar drugs, must be avoided as long as there is hope of preserving the ovum: they certainly further expulsion. Ergot should not be used until after the uterine cavity is emptied, and is decidedly contraindicated whilst the ovum or any of its parts remain adherent in utero. The dangers arising from the use of ergot in the early stages, whilst the ovum is still intact, are rupture of the membranes and forcible contraction, which always prolongs expulsion of the ovum or its membranes; the circular fibres, which predominate, are stimulated most forcibly to action, more particularly so under the conditions which usually exist in abortion: the muscle of the uterine body is hindered in its contraction by the adhesions of ovum and decidua, especially if these membranes are infiltrated; and, moreover, in cases of abortion the tissues of the womb itself are often more or less diseased; the lower portion of the uterus and cervix alone is free to act, the circular fibres of the internal os contract most readily under the influence of ergot, whilst the activity of the fundus is interfered with; thus closing of the outlet and incarceration of the membranes are liable to result. This popular and dangerous drug must not be given until the tissues are expelled, or, if desirable by reason of excessive hemorrhage, its use may be resorted to under one condition: if the membranes are detached, not only free in the uterine cavity, but entering that of the cervix; they may be found massed together firmly, by compression of the uterine walls, into a conical or pyriform mass; and when this has to a great extent passed the internal os ergot may be given. This drug, so dangerous in obstetric practice, is still used with altogether too much freedom in this country, and it would be far better to do without it than to continue the prevalent abuse. I have insisted that this drug must not be given in labors or abortion until the contents of the uterine cavity have been removed. Although but one of our prominent obstetricians approved of the position I took in 1883, and I was then freely attacked, I now urge the point more earnestly, and the doctrine is more commonly accepted: in Germany such men as Martin, Spiegelberg, and others have succeeded in doing away with this dangerous remedy altogether in the institutions under their care, restricting its use to the non-gravid uterus.
As a styptic, hot water, carbolized, serves the best purpose: in the early stages as vaginal douche, in the later as an intra-uterine injection at 120°, it is an invaluable remedy, preferable to other styptics, as it cleanses and removes the coagula. When the cavity has been emptied, especially after the forcible removal of the membranes, it is well to apply carbolic acid to the surface; and it is better for this purpose than tincture of iodine or perchloride of iron, either of which is only to be used in case that hemorrhage does not yield to the before-mentioned remedies.
Anæsthetics.—Though bromide of potash, morphine, or opium may suffice for the relief of the pain in ordinary cases, the use of an anæsthetic is not only desirable, but necessary, if more active measures are resorted to. For purposes of rapid dilatation and the removal of an adherent ovum or membranes anæsthesia is almost indispensable; without this the suffering of the already nervous, debilitated patient is excessive; the uterine and abdominal muscles are tense, and operations thus greatly impeded. An anæsthetic should be given in a rapid dilatation on account of the pain, as well as the greater facility of operating; and it is most necessary in an attempt at expression, as, if made without an anæsthetic, the abdominal muscles are so tense that the uterus cannot be well manipulated from without. I myself prefer chloroform.