Milk Fever. — Symptoms. — A light form of puerperal fever is that which is commonly known as *' milk fever," This is simply a passing febrile condition attending the establishment of the secretion of the milk, if not drawn off freely enough, when the breasts sometimes become painfully distended, and the fever is rather smart for a few days, and then rapidly sub- sides, with simple aperient salines and abstinence a.s far as may be from fluids, taking care that the reast is emptied as thor- oughly and frequently as possible. Miscarriage, or Abortion. — Symptoms.— It occurs very often without any warning, but commonly it is preceded by slight pains in the back and abdomen, and by a slightly colored discharge. These symptoms occurring in the early months or weeks of pregnancy, are sometimes mistaken for the return of the ordinary period, which may have been supposed to have been suppressed from some other cause. These warnings may end as such, or the abortion becomes completed by the sudden expulsion of the contents of the womb, attended with more or less haemorrhage. In some cases considerable haemorrhage will continue for several days before miscarriage is complete. Treatment. — Rest, with the administration of opiates to allay pain. If the haemorrhage be profuse, napkins wetted with 23 354 MEDICINAL. cold water, or cold vinegar and water, should be applied to the lower parts of the body. The patient should be kept as cool as the season will admit, and some mild aperient should be given, if the bowels have been costive. A light diet should be taken. The following pill should also be given every four hours, if the bleeding continue: Acetate of lead, 2 grains; opium, 1-4 grain; conserve, or moist bread crumb, enough to make a pill. Prevention is an important point in these cases, as when the accident has happened once, it is very prone to recur at the same period of future pregnancies. The third month is a very usual period for abortion to occur. Nervous Shock. — On the occurrence of a severe accident, such as a fracture of a limb, or a fall from a height, the sufferer is generally found pale, fainting, and perhaps half uncon- scious, with a small and irregular pulse. This condition of shock to the system may go into a state of collapse from which the patient may never recover. Under such circum- stances, however, what is termed " reaction '* takes place, attended either with complete recovery in a few minutes, or the complete reaction may be prolonged for a day or two. Treatment. — First and foremost, see that the patient has a good supply of fresh air; let him be placed in the recumbent posture, with the head on a line with the body. Small quan- tities of stimulants should be given, such as about a table- spoonful of brandy in a wine-glass of water, or a teaspoonful of compound spirits of ammonia (spirits of salvolatile) should be given in a wine-glass of water. Warmth should be secured to the surface of the body by blankets and hot bottles to the feet and legs.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Milk Fever. — Symptoms. — A light form of puerperal fever is that which is commonly known as *' milk fever," This is simply a passing febrile condition attending the establishment of the secretion of the milk, if not drawn off freely enough, when the breasts sometimes become painfully distended, and the fever is rather smart for a few days, and then rapidly subsides, with simple aperient salines and abstinence as far as may be from fluids, taking care that the reast is emptied as thoroughly and frequently as possible. Miscarriage, or Abortion. — Symptoms.— It occurs very often without any warning, but commonly it is preceded by slight pains in the back and abdomen, and by a slightly colored discharge. These symptoms occurring in the early months or weeks of pregnancy, are sometimes mistaken for the return of the ordinary period, which may have been supposed to have been suppressed from some other cause. These warnings may end as such, or the abortion becomes completed by the sudden expulsion of the contents of the womb, attended with more or less haemorrhage. In some cases considerable haemorrhage will continue for several days before miscarriage is complete. Treatment. — Rest, with the administration of opiates to allay pain. If the haemorrhage be profuse, napkins wetted with cold water, or cold vinegar and water, should be applied to the lower parts of the body. The patient should be kept as cool as the season will admit, and some mild aperient should be given, if the bowels have been costive. A light diet should be taken. The following pill should also be given every four hours, if the bleeding continue: Acetate of lead, 2 grains; opium, 1-4 grain; conserve, or moist bread crumb, enough to make a pill. Prevention is an important point in these cases, as when the accident has happened once, it is very prone to recur at the same period of future pregnancies. The third month is a very usual period for abortion to occur. Nervous Shock. — On the occurrence of a severe accident, such as a fracture of a limb, or a fall from a height, the sufferer is generally found pale, fainting, and perhaps half unconscious, with a small and irregular pulse. This condition of shock to the system may go into a state of collapse from which the patient may never recover. Under such circumstances, however, what is termed " reaction '* takes place, attended either with complete recovery in a few minutes, or the complete reaction may be prolonged for a day or two. Treatment. — First and foremost, see that the patient has a good supply of fresh air; let him be placed in the recumbent posture, with the head on a line with the body. Small quantities of stimulants should be given, such as about a tablespoonful of brandy in a wine-glass of water, or a teaspoonful of compound spirits of ammonia (spirits of salvolatile) should be given in a wine-glass of water. Warmth should be secured to the surface of the body by blankets and hot bottles to the feet and legs.

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