(J) Anemia.
(K) Self-abuse.
(L) Habitual alcoholism.
(M) Lack of moderation in the marital relations.
(N) Certain diseases may be associated with barrenness: cancer, diabetes, consumption, Bright's disease, etc.
(O) Certain temperamental conditions may be associated with barrenness: lack of affinity, frigidity.
THE KNACK OF MISCARRYING
Displacement of Womb.—In many instances the primary cause of the displaced womb was some energetic, muscular effort, made while the victim was yet a girl,—probably before menstruation began. Whatever act first caused a slight tilting of the womb, must necessarily have been an unusual physical effort, and as girls are getting more and more strenuous we may look for more trouble in this direction in the future. Inasmuch as a slight tilting of the womb gradually gets worse it is a reasonable expectation to believe that sterility is a natural sequence to displacement. The girl may have been the victim of painful menstruation which was neglected, because not quite painful enough to compel medical relief, which is sought for only as a last resource unfortunately under the circumstances. Intercourse may also have been more or less painful,—a condition which again is mistakenly and imprudently borne in silence and left to take care of itself. But when persistent sterility faces her, the woman seeks medical assistance and her trouble is discovered. As the displacement is found to be the cause of her sterility, its correction, which is a comparatively easy medical problem, not only cures the barrenness but happily relieves her of the menstrual distress and all other pain.
The treatment for displacement consist of placing medicated pieces of wool or cotton, called tampons, in the vagina in such a position as to hold the womb, as nearly in its proper place as is possible. After a time nature will so strengthen the ligaments that they will hold the womb and a cure is, therefore, affected. The length of time necessary to cure depends upon the length of time the displacement has existed. It may take, from two to four months. When the displacement is of long standing and is accompanied with more or less inflammation, adhesions sometimes grow between the womb and the adjacent organs. It is necessary to resort to surgery in such cases, but the result is always good and the danger practically nothing.
Disease of the Womb, Ovaries or Fallopian Tubes.—Disease of the womb, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, which renders the victim sterile, is as a rule the direct result of infection. Such infection is conveyed by the husband to the wife. This is quite a common condition. The simple fact that such conditions exist leads us to hope that the time is not far distant when it will be compulsory for all participants in the marriage ceremony to submit to a thorough physical examination. By this means, and by this means only, will the innocent be protected. No one can conceive, unless he has been identified, as a physician, with one of the large metropolitan hospital clinics, of the extent of this class of disease, and of the frightful suffering caused, and innocent lives ruined, by infection conveyed in this way. It is a tragic corollary to the marriage vow "for better or for worse."