[Since the introduction of antipyrin into our therapeutic list, it has obtained a deservedly high rank amongst antipyretic measures, and in all cases of high temperature in the puerpera, exclusive of course of malarial influences, in particular when the rise is of septic origin. this drug should take the place of quinine. It should be given boldly, prefer ably by rectum, at first, and then repeated in smaller doses pro re nolo. Forty grains by rectum, and twenty by the mouth is a fair average dose to begin with. The drug should always be guarded by alcohol, and the pulse carefully wat,hed,- in order that digitalis may also be administered in case of evidence of cardiac failure. The occasional appearance of sub-normal temperature, of urticaria-like eruptions, and of even slight syncope, should be borne in mind, when giving the agent. These occur rences are, however, exceptional, and need not alarm.—Ed.] Alcohol may be given in any form. Aconite we have little confidence in, although, in certain cases, it has seemed of value. Nourishing diet is, of course, indicated.
We cannot insist too strongly on the use of antiseptic injections--in tra-uterine as long as odor exists. The utility of these injections is in contestible.
[In case the extracted placenta or secundines were intensely fetid, we would advise, after the uterine cavity has been thoroughly emptied and cleansed, the insertion of a suppository containing ten to twenty grains of iodoform. This may modify, markedly, further absorption of
septic products. For the intra-uterine injections we know of nothing better than the Chamberlain glass tube, without the terminal opening. A small size, suitable to miscarriage cases, may be obtained.—Ed.] Between four and five months, there is another complication, at times, and this is where the fcetus presents by the breech, and the head, through forcible traction on the breech, is torn off, and left in the uterus. Ex traction may be very difficult.
The woman who has miscanied, should be subjected to the same rules as those applicable to the puerpera at term. Prolonged rest is needed, and this is hard to obtain, for women are apt to look upon miscarriage as a slight affair. And after misc,arriage, metritis, peritonitis, flexions and versions of the uterus are very frequent, and they may entail sterility, or impress the habit of miscarrying.
[All the more liable is the woman to such affections, when the treat ment advocated by the author in case of incomplete miscarriage is the rule. If the woman recovers from the immediate complications of the miscarriage, she infallibly possesses a sub-involuted uterus, an endo metritis, and, if not at once, very likely later, a retroversion. These are further reasons. therefore, why the ultra-expectant treatment deserves con d em nation.—Ed.