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1902

Page 529

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
WHITES, or, Leucorrhoea, (Fluor Albus.) — This disease is peculiar to females. It is indicated by a morbid secretion of mucous from the passage leading to the womb, termed vagina. It varies in appearance, con- sistence, and quantity, in different per- sons. Women of delicate constitution, debilitated by hard labours, mis-car- riages, grief, poor living, and of an erysipelatous habit, generally termed scorbutic, are most subject to it, and in them it proves very obstinate. It is the effect both of relaxation and inflammatory excitement. Treatment. — When it arises from relaxation, the Tonic Pills, will general- ly succeed in effecting a cure. Cold bathing or the local application of cold water, is a good remedy for this dis- ease, and should be used every morning, provided the patient be free from cough or difficulty of breathing, and not sub- ject to a determination of blood to the brain. If the discharge continue after the employment of these means, an astrin- gent lotion may be used ; as the follow- ing : — Take of pomegranate-rind, bruis- ed, 3 drachms ; boil in a quart of water to a pint and a half ; then strain, and add alum, a drachm and a half. To be injected by means of a female syringe. WH1 420 WHI Give an emetic and a vapour bath occasionally. If the stools are of a pale clay or very dark colour, or the patient be subject to erysipelas, or eruption of the skin, take a little rhubarb and mag- nesia every other night for about ten days. When fiuor albus occurs in a person of a robust and sanguine habit, it may be considered of an inflammatory na- ture; in which case, instead of tonic medicines above recommended, the pa- tient should take every other morning, 2 drachms of Epsom salt, and 10 grains of nitre powder, with 15 of gum-arabic powder, in a glass of barley-water three times a day ; which, with a low diet, (free from all kinds of stimulants,) will succeed in curing it. To these reme- dies, the application of cold water, will be a powerful auxiliary. When the discharge is of an ichorous nature, and of a dark or yellowish col- our, and attended with pain in the region of the womb, or with irritation, burning heat, difficulty or heat of urine, troublesome itching, a sense of bearing down, and a frequent inclination to evacuate ; pains on the approach, or during the time of menstruation ; and particularly if pieces of coagulated blood (generally termed clots) are discharged ; some organic disease of the womb may be suspected, especially if they occur about the time of the cessation of the menstrual discharge. The buchu leaves are a good remedy for this disease, and in many cases of long standing, the tincture, in the dose of two teaspoonfuls in a wine-glass of the decoction of marshmallow root, has succeeded in curing the disease, and improving the general health. In ob- stinate cases it may be given in an in- fusion of the leaves, in lieu of the de- coction of marshmallow root The diet must depend on the general health of the patient. If she be weakly, and of a delicate constitution, it should be nourishing and easy of digestion, such as blanc mange, and the vegetable and animal jellies, with a small portion of meat; a little good port or sherry may also be allowed, but water should be adopted in lieu of malt liquor : but if the complaint be atteuded with much Irritation or pain on making water, it