Observations on occlusion of the vagina and uterus, with its means of prevention, and the operation necessary for its removal / by Evory Kennedy.

Date:
[1839?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on occlusion of the vagina and uterus, with its means of prevention, and the operation necessary for its removal / by Evory Kennedy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    bled in the upright posture to §xx., when her pulse failed; twenty-seven leeches were then applied to the abdomen; at 9 o'clock a warm bath was given; after which mercurial inunction was employed every two hours. One grain of calomel and one grain Dover's powder given every hour. 11 p. m. Pulse down to 80, and is much fuller. Found relief from the bath, but still intense tenderness exists all over the abdomen. Contr. remedia. Two and a-half dozen of leeches to abdomen. Hs. anodynus. October 2nd. Tenderness a good deal relieved, but in the left iliac is still considerable. Mercury and depletion were pushed rapidly, and she was salivated on the morning of the 3rd, after which she gradually improved. On the 11th. Vagina is now found to have contracted at one part as if encircled by a cord. A small candle was passed, and gradually a larger one, until a mould four was easily introduced. November 18th. Complains of pain in the loins and head, and symptoms of the approach of the catamenia. On with- drawing the candle, a small quantity of menstrual fluid is found on its end. The candle has been constantly used since last re- port, but still the same difficulty on keeping the vagina perma- nently dilated has been experienced, as formerly remarked. Even when fully dilated, so as to admit a mould two, if neglected for twenty-four hours, contracts so as to refuse admittance to the point of the second finger, and it requires seventy-two hours to enlarge it to the same size. For the catamenial symptoms, she was ordered a hip bath each night, which increases the flow of the menses. December 8th. Vagina admits easily a large wax candle, which seems to agree well with her, and does not prevent her going about. Allowed to go out on condition that she use the candle con- stantly, and return occasionally.