The diseases of woman, their causes and cure familiarly explained : with practical notes for their prevention and for the preservation of female health

Front matter

Seema

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Bethesda, Maryland

Gitt of

Chapter I. The Female System

: Page ' Description of the Female nanrs and Explanation of their Uses, . 5 3 wisi " 25

' CHAPTER II.

MALFORMATION, OR IMPERFECT DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIFFER¢ ENT FEMALE ORGANS.

Cohesion of the External Lips, . . i ta Union of the Nymphe, : ° ° ° 31 Unnatural iicith 6 of the Nymph, aieeem ni ane « SB _ Unnatural Growth of the Clitoris; - § 32 Closure of the Vagina, 33.

Partial Closure, or Narrowness of ‘the Vagina, edn Closing of the Mouth of the Womb, . . . . 38 Absence of the Vagina or Womb, or both, oe ae

* CHAPTER III. fs DISPLACEMENT, OR WRONG POSITION OF THE FEMALE ORGANS. Prolapsus Uteri, or Falling ee the Womb, .

The Pessary, Sehr RR s 37. Oo Treatment and Probability of "Gates 5 opt er DOw *Anteversion and Retroversion of‘the Womb, : Ee (S ‘Anteflexion and Retroflexion,.° . eee ausagieg aes Obliquity ofthe Womb, .. . . *. 82 Inversion of the Womb; ian Scie. 83 Fixture of the Womb, or ‘Immobility, * hs 85 Hysterocele, or Hernia of the Womb, . fi 87 ’ Cystocele, or Hernia of the Bladder, . : 8&8

Vagina Pisco and Swelling of the o Lining Membrane of Vagina, shou os ee See th oe 5 eR t ey oti:

egal! Enterocele, or Hernia of the Intestines into the

“404 ion

*

VW CONTENTS. a #

CHAPTER IV ga AND ORGANIC DISEASES.

Inflammation of. the Valva, and Externa! Lips, Pruritus of the Vulva, or licking of the External Parts, Vaginitis, or Inflamination of the Vagina, . Metritis, or Inflammation of the Womb, . 5 Engorgement, or Enlargement o the Womb, . Schirrous, or *Canderous Engorgement of the Womb, . Rheumatism of the Womb, . 5 - Leucorrhea, Fluor Albus, or the Whites, : ‘ Polypus of the Womb, - 3 . Hydrometra, or Dropsy of the Womb, | ‘ Hydatids of the Womb, : ° Calculus, or Stone, in tHe Womb ahd Vagina, : - Inflammation of the Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes, . Dropsy of the Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes, . 7 + CHAPTER V i

0 ei ene RSS DOT, Oe Oey O29 ©:

DERANGEMENTS OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FEMALE ORGANS,

AND OF THE NERVES.

Of T Menstruation, | ‘ 152 > Amenorrhea, or. non-appearance, or Stoppage of the Menses, A ; i peta Bi} iy ‘Dysmenorrhea, or Painful Menstruation, : ee oO Profuse Menstruation, or Flooding, . . - 178 Chlorosis, cr Green Sickness, 5 A 1 185 ALysteriay 687. ° 0 - 194 _ »Hysteralgia, POE ee oy Sel _ Impotence and Storility, Sen ete 216 + CHAPTER VI.

GENEBAL REMARKS ON FEMALE HEALTH, AT EVERY PERIOD 09 : LIFE, AND ON GERTAIN PECULIARITIES OF FEMALE DISEASE, AND 1TS TREATMENT. : Puberty and Menstruation, . —. : - 904 * Phe’ Changs of Lifes 6 OP eee ee re fete Useful Hints for all Ages, . Bets 238

ADDENDA.

Piatt

LIST OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS.

FLATE I.—Frontserrece.—Lateral Section, or Side View 3 of the Female Pelvis, to show the position of the different Organs. .

PLATE IL.—p. 19. Welirhal Female Organs, Section of : . the Womb—Natural Size.

PLATE I1I.—p. 23. The Uterus and its appendages removed, to show their respective connections with each other.

PLATE IV.—p. 43. Lateral Section,of the Female Pelvis,

_ to show the position of the Womb in the, first stages of Prolapsus.

PLATE V.—p. 44. Lateral Section of the Pelvis, to show the position of the Womb in the third stage of Prolapsus.

PLATE VI—p. 57... Position of a Globe Pessary, when supporting the Womb.

PLATE VII—p. 61 Tho Inflated Elastic Cylindrical — Pessary. ae

PLATE VIII.—p. 259. The Tubular Speculum. PLATE IX.p. 261. The Bivalve stomata:

PLATE X—p. 263. A Lady undergoing tho Galvanic Procose, 5 :

* 4

_ LIST OF SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL WORKS REFERRED TO, AND CONSULTED, IN PREPARING THIS TREA- TISE. Ban

VV Resiay

Davis’ Principles and Practices of Obstetric Medicine--

Colliz:s’ Practical Treatise.on Midwifery —Ryan’s Manual of

Midwifery —Lees’ Researches on the Pathology and Treatment of the Diseases of Women.—Des Maladies propre aux

Femmes, par M. Nawehe—Practical Observations on Uterine a

Hemorrhage, J. Burns—Burns’ Principles. of Midwifery Dewees’ Treatise on the Diseases of Females—Baudeloques’ Treatiso on Internal Uterine Hemorrhages—G'o0d’s Study of Medi¢ine.—Copland’s Medical Facts and Observations — _Astrue’s Treatise on the Diseases of Females—Copland’s Dictionary of Practical Medicine—Hooper’s Medical Dictionary.—Education Physique des Jounes Filles, ens de la Femme avant la Marriage, A. M. Bureaud-Rioffrey. —Mackintosh’s Practice of Physic.—Histoire Philosophique de

YHypochondrie et de l’Hystérie, L. F. Dubois ——Addison on

‘ the Disorders of Females connected with Uterine Irritation —

Manning’s Treatise on Female Diseases—Smiih’s Treatise © on Hysterical and Nervous Disorders——Dissertation sur Hystérie, @. L. Duvernay—Cullen’s Practice of Physic—Medieal Researches into the Nature of Hysteria, A. Wilson— Perry’s Mechanical Accounts of the Hysterical Passion.— _ Mandeville’s Treatise on the Hypochondriac and Hysterie Diseases.—Purcell’s Treatise on Vapors, or Hysteric Fits —

‘ fh eee ae 5 x LIST OF AUTHORS CONSULTED. ‘

“Guy's Medical Jurisprudence —Beck’s Medical Jurisprudence.

—Wilson’s Lectures on the Urinary and Genital Organs— Denman’s Midwifery—Groch’s Midwifery —Chailly’s Midwifery— Ashwell’s Treatise on the. Diseases of Women.—Colombal de I’Isere on the Diseases of Females, &c.--Waller on the Functions and Diseasés of the Unimpregnated Uterus

‘—Hufeland’s Art of Prolonging Life—Beclard sur les Maladies des Femmes, a l’epoque de la Cessation des’ Menstrues— Fogg’s Observations on Uterine Discharges, &c.—Capuron,

Maladies des Femmes.——Hooper’s Morbid Anatomy of the

Uterus.—Churchill’s Outlines of the Principal Diseases of Females.—Lisfranc on Diseases of the Uterus.—Leake’s Medical Instructions on the Prevention and Cure of the Diseases of Women.—The Treatise on the Diseases of the Uterus and the Organs connected with it, by M. Boivin and A. Duges.—Seymour’s Illustrations of the Principal Diseases of the Ovaria,

- —Dunglison’s Human Physiology —*Sprait’s Obstetric Tables.—Combe’s Constitution of Man; and Physiology applied to Preservation of Health Cabanss Rapports du Physique et du Moral de l’Homme.—Parent Duchatetel on Prosti. in Paris—G‘all’s Works, Translated by Combe.—Recherches Anat. et Physiolog. sur les Ovaires, M. Negrier—Traite Philosophique de Med. Pratique, M. Gendrin—Todd’s Cyclopedia of Anatomy and Physiology.—De la Puberte et de l’age Critique chez la Femme, &c., M. Raciborski—(This last work. contains a complete view of the new discoveries and opinions respecting the Ovaries, &c.)—Jiever’s Essay on Or. ganic Diseases of the Uterus—Blundell’s Observations on some of the more Important Diseases of Women.—Lee’s Theory and Practice of Midwifery.—Histoire Naturelle de le Femme, Moreau. —Theorie Positive de la Fecondation den

\ LIST OF. AUTHORS CONSULTED. xi

Mammiféres, &c. par M. Pouchet—The Origin of Life, by F Hollick, M. D.—Neuropathy, and Outlines of Anatomy and Physiology, by the same author.

RECIEYe: &C.

Glasgow Medical Journal.

Transactions of the Society for Promoting Medica: Knowledge Journal Genera! de Medicin.

Medico Chirurgical Review.

Nouveau Journal de Medicin.

Philadelphia Medical Journal.

Reveu Medicale.

‘Transactions of the Medico Chirurgical Society.

Medical Gazette. °

Lancet.

British and Foreign Medical Review Braithwaite’s Retrospect.

Ranking’s Abstract. t Archivés General de Medicin. »

Guy’s Hospital Reports. °

London Medical Repository.

Midland Medical and Surgical Reporter. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. ‘Baltimore Medical and Surgical Journal. American Journal of the Medical Sciences. New York Journal of Medicine and Collateral Sciences. American Medical Intelligencer.

Littel’s Monthly Journal of Foreign Medicine. - Dictionaire des Sciences Mcdicales. 0% make - Reports of various Lunatic Asylums., {And various other Reviews and Journals)° = *

* xii LIST OF AUTHORS CONSULTED.

This list by no means contains all those books that have . been consulted on this subject, but merely the principal ones _ Some of them are old works, sought out in Medical Libraries, and others are the newest and most standard of the present day. Many others have been made use of, but not directly extracted from, so that while their information has been made available its source has been overlooked, or unnoticed. In the course of several years’ miscellaneous reading on any sub- ° ject, many facts will necessarily be gathered whose paternity is eventually forgotten, and this ts the case in the present instance. Where credit has not been. given, however, it is not’ intentionally omitted, but inadvertently. The list, imperfect as it is, a give some slight idea of the labor connected with the getting up such a volume as the ie

FOE

Preface

A variety of circumstances induced me at the commencee.

ment of my professional career, to give my chief attention to the physiology and diseases of the female system, and my practice ever since has been mainly connected therewith. Many causes have given me at different times, peculiar facilities for acquiring information on these subjects, particularly on ‘certain points not usually’ well-understood, and I have been desirous of making that information available to the best of my ability, as a means of alleviating physical suffering, and removing moral evil.

Experience early taught me that the greater part of tho female diseases which came under my notice, were caused, directly or indirectly, by the ignorance of the sufferers respecting the constitution and relations of their own systems. ‘This ignorance uot only produces their diseases, but also conserves them, because it prevents the adoption of proper means for their removal, and leaves the sufferers liable 10 constant imposition from uninformed or designing pretenders. The very. best medical practice, unfortunately, is obliged to leave numerous diseases unchecked, and I feel fully assured that th e greatest skill in the world could never cure so many physic evils, as a little timeiy knowledge would prevent! There : 2

- xiv PREBACE.

fore, both as a means of teaching females how to avoid disease, and to instruct them in simple means of treatment, and also to prevent imposition, a certain amount of knowledge of themselves is indispensable. So fully convinced was I of this, that I determined to devote greater part of my time and what little ability I possessed to the dissemination of that knowledge. T found, however, that this was a very difficult task, and required considerable devotion and perseverance. Ignorance dislikes to be disturbed, prejudice is difficult to overcome, and interest easily becomes alarmed at innovation, as I soon discovered. Feeling confident, however, that. I was engaged in a useful undertaking, and one that would ultimately be universally commended, I kept on, notwithstanding the obstacles I met with, until, I am happy to say, a fair amount of success attended my efforts. For the future I intend to labor in the samo field, unless my place be taken by others more capable, and my efforts become unnecessary, which I shall be very happy to see.

In the spring of 1844, I commenced in New York city a course of public lectures to females, on female diseases, illus trated by anatomical models, and contrary to general expectation they were extensively patronised, and met with general approbation. The press universally commended them, and many ladies of eminence and ability gave voluntary testimony in their favor. I continued lecturing in New York for three months to large audiences, and then went to Philadelphia, where my success was even greater, upwards of four hundred ladies having attended in one diy! Since then I have apany, times repeated them in both plazes, eae also in Wash- »

ington, Baltimore, and other cities with the same result. On several occasions, particularly in Philaa Iphia, I have been

PREFACE. xy ceasnuslal with votes of hank and ‘vith flattering testimonials, one of which had over three hundred names attached to it, and also with many valuable presents ; among the io with a splondid large Gotp Mepau!

During this time I have met with the approbation of all “who were acquainted with the real nature of my undertaking, and the manner of my proceedings. Some uninformed persons, judging from prejudice, distrust or misrepresentation, may have misconceived my motives; and many have expressed their regret when undeceived for having done so, A few interested practitioners also, fearful for their practice and reputation, have endeavored to injure me in various ways, and _ prevent my proceedings; but, as might have been predicted, only fo their own discomfiture. A detail of the means they ‘employed is not necessary here, since they failed in their object, and merely afforded a lamentable instance of moral turpitude and mental imbecility.

The present book followed as a matter of course from the lectures. My @udiences repeatedly asked me, by public call, to write such a one, so that they could study it at home, or ~ ‘send it to their absent friends, and my daily experience showed me the necessity for it. Many circumstances, however, retarded its appearance. My professional engagements left me but little leisure, and I was also desirous of postponing it till I had made certain investigations of an important character. As it now stands, this book is the result of an extended series _ of observations in my own practice, and of a thorough examina tion of nearly all the celebrated works on the subject, native and foreign. The amount of labor required-in this examina- 3 ‘tion and its importance, may be partly estimated by referring ‘to the list of books Ce aed _ Many of the most valuable

Xvi PREFACE.

among these books hays never been translated, and much of the information here given cannot be found in any other original work ever published in this country in the English _ -language. I have made it a point to leave no source of information whatever unexplored ! "

My object being popular instruction, I have of course made all my explanations as familiar as possible, and have _either altogether avoided names and words not generally understood, or else given an explanation of them. Everything not strictly necessary to an understanding of the subject, or in any way objectionable has been carefully avoided, but nothing

+ * has been omitted that is really essential, even though its novelty, and opposition to preconceived opinions, may, at first startle the unthinking or offend the prejudiced.

I am well awaro that many of the new discoveries I have mentioned are as yet unknown, except to a few medical men, and will naturally surprise those who hear of them for the first — time. That is no reason why they should be concealed however, but the contrary. Every new truth that is announced only takes the place of some antiquated error; and since tho human mind, in regard to every subject, must be occupied by ono or the other, which should be preferred? Truth! undoubtedly. Society is now too far advanced for any kind of useful knowledge to be restricted toa few. The public de- “mand to know everything they choose which concerns their welfaro, and that demand must be complied with. The growing spirit of enquiry among females respecting themselves, makes such a work as the present absolutely necessary, for ~ while it is absent its place will be filled by imperfect or ims "proper substitutes. Several books on this subject have lately been issued of a highly objectionable character, but which are ous oe

. ~

PREFACE. ~ XVil - bought simply because their real character is not perceived, and there is nothing better to supercede them. Some others I have seen, not to be cbjected to on the same grounds, -being written by respectable scientific men, but which, nevertheless, ~ ail in giving popular information, because they are not sufiisiently simple in their language nor familiar in their explanations. Most of them aro also too meagre, only touching on a few prominent diseases, and leaving numerous topics of the greatest interest and importance unexplained. As already remarked, I have endeavored to write this book so that every person of ordinary capacity shall understand it, and yet so that no reasonable objection can be*made to it. And further, I have, We believe, explained every female derangement yet heard of or seen! 1 do not think there +has been a single one omitted, and several that are introduced have never been heard of before, I will ve&tture to assert, except by a few professional men.

As far as it could be done with propriety and advantage, I have given directions for domestic treatment, and have always made a special point of teaching how to prevent disease General rules for the preservation of health have also been given, and the various causes which tend to destroy it have been carefully enumerated. In short, I have endeavored ta make this Book a complete work of reference for everything connected with female health and the treatment of female disease! One in which the parent can find comfort and assistance in her own afilictions, and by means of which she may guard her cffild against them. hose disorders which belong to : in common I have not spoken of, because — they belong general medicine ; and my business was with

diseases solely female. Nor have I have spoken of those dis- * “2* :

*

.

- particularly to those of New York and Philadelphia, for their

- SV . PREFACE.

wses which belong exclusively to marriage, gestation and Pelivery, as these will form the subject of a separate volume With many heartfelt thanks to the ladies in general, and — cores kind patronage of my former books and lectures, J present this volume to their ‘notice, sincerely hoping that it may be acceptable to them, and assist in alleviating those evile te which unfortunately so many of them are subject. .

FREDERICK HOLLICK, M. D [

PLATE Il. .

EXTERNAL FEMALE ORGANS.

aE Eben :

— ~~ ond << >

4 & a.q. The large lips. : ; 4 4 The small lips. * Peg ce. The Clitoris. a al d. ‘Theentrance to the Vagina. \ c e. The Fourchette.

f. The Meatus. g. ‘The Tressoria,

SECTION OF THE WOMB—NATURAL SIZE.

B. The walls of the Womb. € The Vagina. + g. The mouth of the Womb

NOTICE.

been so beset with spplicationsf aaa to give se at least ‘50 far as sto et te :

remedy for oe STERILITY, LOSS. OF FEEI

ING, and NATURAL ‘TORPIDITY, ever inven

It is sold in packages of $5 each. The articles being extremely powerful and highly concentrated, the packages are of small weight and size ; and being flat, the size of a letter, can readily go anywhere oe post, poth with safety and with secresy. The medicine being in a dry form, there i is no botfle needed, and therefore can be no. risk of loss or breakage; anditis so put up that it will keep good in any reuanie, for any length of time, and under all circumstances.

It isalso so made that the doses are easily formed and taken without occasion for any fluids or measuring, and being without peculiar smell, no one can detect it.

Those who wish it can address to Dr. Hollick, New York, enclosing five dollars, and the reasons for wishing to take it.

aie it can be obtained of No ONE ee

\ SO wy Wx)

INTERNAL FEMALE ORGANS.

x

Sar si pe H The Back Bone. . Ra ad

~ 0. The Opening through the Hymen.

PLATE I sate

the position of the Prgans. Sa ae ’ A. ee he latter Gs rte ouch es s B. The Womb,”

C. The Vagina. EA ‘ D. The Rectum. in ‘ a ee: e. The Right Ovary. — ae Neca Sk ahd : waite: ap The Right Fallopian Tube. oe g. The Os Tince, or Mouth of the Womb. ras tye ik. The Meatus Urinarius, or speek of the Bladder.

The Small Intestines, e. k. The Pubic or Front Bone.

l. The Right External Lip, or Labium,

m. The Right Internal ake or Nymphe.

n The Hymen. ™ q- The Clitoris.

p. The Perineum.

(This of course shows the half of all the single Orgone and the right one only of those that are double.)

pai sectint or side - view ‘of the Female Pelvis, to show

Ce Pee” eee

“NOTICE.

NEW FACTS IN .

PHY SIOLOGY AND MEDICINE.

The ret aders of this book will be aware tHat Dr. Hollick — ae rs are continually pursuing their investigations conning . the matters therein treated, and that new discoveries are being continually made of the most interesting kind. ' These are regularly incorporated, when completed, in the new editions ; but'as they often succeed each other rapidly, it is not tgeible for readers always to keep up with them. - As a means, however, of obviating the difficulty, and put-_ , ting all seekers for knowledge on equal terms, ‘The Peo- _ ple’s Medical Journal’’ isissued. This contains all new fi ‘al a8 soon as discovered, in conjunction with a vast amount of important miscellaneous matter not to be found anywhere — fl

_ else. For twenty-five cents a year, therefore, every one can keep up with the times, and even be ahead of most of their * medical teachers. Everybody should take the “People’s ~ Journal.’?. See the advertisement at the end of this book. Those who wish to understand General Physiology, or to™ have their children learn it, should procure one or other of the books on Anatomy and Physiology for home teaching, vie and for schools, also advertised at the end of this book. ‘These School Books are remarkably cheap, and are in - every way adapted for popular use. Every child should — ‘study them; and, in fact, every adult who is not already” familiar with the subject. rt ek: ‘¢ bw

“The Uterus and its Appendages removed, to show their cor nection with each other. err

B. The Womb. 3

C. The Vagina. Ce) aa

ee The Ovaries. ok Cee

“4 f. The Fallopian Tubes. — .

s The left broad Ligament. The right one being eee

rr. The Round Ligaments. é

_ g The Og Tince, or Mouth of the Womb.

3 e are the germs of future human beings, as the e

THE DISEASES OF WOM,

— Arner. --

CHAPTER I.

Mie THE FEMALE SYSTEM.

~ by order to understand many of those peculiar des rangements to which the Female System is so liable, tance with the structure, position, and uses of the. different organs which compose it.

This general acquaintance, sufficient for the present purpose, is intended to be given in the present’ chapter, those who wish for more extended informa.

it is necessary to have at least:a general acquain. * :

tion being referred “to The Marriage Coney . a

DESCRIPTION OF THE FEMALE ORGANS, AND EXPLA&-.

"NATION OF THEIR USES.

INTERNAL ORGANS. *

The Ovaries.—(e. e. Plates I, II and HI.}—Theseare two oval shaped bodies, about the size of an al... mond nut, placed one on each side, nearly in the | groin. They contain a number of small round — grains, or granules, called the ove, or eggs, which

- of birds are of their particular find. Se a ; ae ge

26 INTERNAL ORGANS.

‘connected with the uterus by two short arms, or pro- Jongations, and are enclosed in the folds of the broad pees The Falloman Tubes.—(f. f. Plates 1, Wand UI. ) ‘These are two Tubes, one on each side, ‘beneath the ‘Ovaries, and extending farther. Each of them has - ja, small passage which opens into the uterus at one vend, and oppos:te the Ovaries at the other. Their ice is to convey the impregnating principle to the -

a at the time of conception, and to convey the

“Ove, when impregnated, to the interior of the Womb. The Uterus, or Womb.—(B. Plates I, I and III.)

‘This ig a hollow organ, placed betw eon the Bladder,

which is in front, and the Rectum, which is behind.

It is connected with the Vagina, and opens into it by

the small orifice called the mouth of the womb.—

-(g. Plates I and III.)—The Uterus is the organ which

receives the impregnated ovum, and in which it is developed into the human being. It is connected

with the Ovaries by the Fallopian Tubes, and with ,

‘the Vagina by the Os Tince, and is retained in its ‘situation partly by its connections with other organs, and partly by the round and broad ligaments.

_ The Vagina.—(C. Plates I and III.)—This is ihe passage which leads to the Womb from the exteraal opening.

The Os Tince, or Mouth of the Womb. —(e. Plates _ J and III.)—This is the small orifice, opening intothe — Vagina, by which communication'is established with the Uterus from without.

The Bladder.—(A. Plates I and I.)—The Be. _ceptacle of the Urine. It is placed immediately in © _ front, on the pubic bone, the Uterus lying bata on: the top of it. :

The Rectum, or Termination es the large I Intestino, ee

.

EXTERNAL ORGANS. 4 27

'D, Plates I and II. )—This is situated behind the Vagina, and between it and the back bone.

The Broad Ligaments.—(s. Plate III.)—These are two broad folds.of membrane, which serve partly to enclose the Fallopian Tubes and Ovaries, and partly to sustain the Womb in its place. ‘They adhere to the Uterus and to the walls of the Pelvis. _

The Round Ligaments—(r.r. Plates Il and II. ip These two cords arise from each upper corner of th Uterus, and curving downwards are fixed by other extremities to the pubic bone. They are partly enclosed in the Broad Ligaments. ‘They’assist in 4 ‘sustaining the Uterus in its position, and probably also they strengthen the Broad Ligaments and prevent - their rupture when the strain upon them is too great.

Fimbrie of the Fallopian Tubes.—(t. t. Plate III.) These Fimbrie are like Tentacule, or fingers, springing from the extreme ends of the Tubes, and floating i.

loosely in the cavity of the pelvis. Their use isto ~ clasp hold of the ovaries at the time of eee so that the fecundating principle can reach them, a

also to take up the ove when impregnated, and.

vey them into the Tube, se which they pass into

the Womb.

oo

EXTERNAL ORGANS.

as External Ixps.—(1. Plate I.)—These are -. commonly termed the Lalie externa. They are two broad folds of membranous and adipose substance, forming the portals to the Vulva, or entrance to the, a ev aging.° : The Internal Lips —(m. Plate I. )—These are two ae smaller labiee, sometimes called the N ymphe, Nh the first, the chief use of which appears to be to rect. the flow of the urine fromthe urethra, = a

» 98 °| | BXTERNAL ORGANS.

The Hymen.—(n. Plate I.)—This is a membrane generally found in virgins, which grows over and closes more or less completely the entrance to the ) Vagina. Use unknown. When it exists there is generally a small orifice through it, by which the menses escape, each monthly period. —(o. Plate I.) * The Clitoris.—( p. Plate I:)—This is a small pro. minent organ, about the size of a large pea, placed ipper part of the opening | between the exterul lips, and. immediately above the Meatus Urinaua ape: It is the principal seat of venereal excitement, . and is subject to many annoying diseases. The Perineum.—(q. Plate I.)—The part between _ the Vulva, or entrance to the Vagina, and the funda- ' ment. It is chiefly composed of the muscles belonging to the neighboring parts, and assists very much _» in supporting the womb.

-* ~The Meatus Urinarius, or Mouth of the Bladder, (h. Plate I,)—a small opening by which the. urine escapes, placed between the, lips, and immediately : ve the Vulva, or entrance to the Vagina. ‘These organs are all placed within, or in contact with, the lower part of the Trunk, called the pelvis. They are all intimately connected with: each other, and some of them have most extensive and ‘strong sympathies with almost every other part of the system. So much so is this the case in fact, that pro- . bably the great majority of diseases to which females — are liable arise, directly or indirectly, from Uterine or Ovarian derangement. Very often the heart, the stomach, or some other organ, though perfectly. "healthy, i is thought to be diseased, and appears to be. so, merely from its sympathy with ‘the diseased womb, _ ae ete. : ' RR U ea Rc 2.) ; ‘ pat

COHESION OF THE EXTERNAL LIPS. 29 r

So VEAP eR Tt.

MALFORMATION, OR IMPERFECT DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIFFERENT FEMALE ORGANS.

_Matrormation, or faulty developement, of the female organs is frequently met with, sometimes from accidents, and sometimes from natural imperfection. There are so many and such different cases of this kind that it is impossible to enumerate ‘hem all, nor is it necessary ; we will therefore con- ‘ine ourselves to those most generally found.

COHESION OF THE EXTERNAL LIPS. *®

(J. Plate I.) Sometimes female children are born with the external lips completely grown together, so as eyen to close up the passage from the bladder. In this case great distress is very soon felt fi inability to discharge the urine, and the assistance of the surgeon becomes immediately necessary. Fortunately this difficulty is generally very easily overcome. It is seldom, however, that the adhesion is so extensive as to close completely the urethra, more generally it is only partially closed, and the

_ urine escapes in drops or small quantities. “More frequently it is only the entrance to the vagnia that is closed, and then the difficulty may not be discovered till‘the period of puberty. At that time great

_ distress is felt from the menses not being able to

escape from the Womb; but of this we shall speak. in another article. There are many accidents that may cause this adhesion of the labia, such as chafe ap 3% 2.

X

*

30 COHESION OF THE EXTERNAL LIPS.”

ings, inflammation from various causes, and irrita.

tion of the urine. In some young persons there is a constant disposition to an inflamed state of these