Its cure consists, perhaps, more in carefully abstain ing from all the exciting causes than in any very active practice. The quantity of blood that is lost by the dis charge itself commonly renders bleeding unnecessary, and even purgatives, which we have so generally re commended in other affections of a febrile tendency', are sometimes scarcely admissible, in consequence of the irritation which is excited by their operation. Perfect rest, both of body and mind, abstinence, and an equable temperature, are perhaps the best remedies for Hxmop tysis ; acids, especially the sulphuric, and various neu tral salts, have been recommended, but we apprehend that the recommendation has originated from a false theory ; and we doubt the efficacy of the practice. In certain cases of Haemoptysis, where the circulation is at the same time, weak and quick, digitalis has been prescribed, and apparently with success : it must, how ever, be given in small doses, and its effects assiduous ly watched, as an overdose would product a state of torpor, which might prove dangerous, both from its di rect and its indirect effects. If the disease be attended with cough, we must employ those palliatives by which this affection is usually relieved, and if there be pain in the chest, blisters, or perhaps the topical detraction of blood will be necessary. In this complaint we are almost re stricted from one of the most powerful means of restrain ing Immorrhage, the application of external cold, in consequence of the apprehension that such a practice might produce Catarrh, or inflammation of the chest, which, under these circumstances, must be regarded as a very unfavorable circumstance.
Whatever may be our opinion respecting the nature of the menstrual discharge, or the use which it serves in the animal economy, we can have little doubt, that when it exists in excessive quantity, it is generally of that kind which we have termed arterial. It is general ly attended with pain in the back and loins, and, when it has continued for any length of time, produces a febrile condition of the system, as manifested by the state of the pulse, and the other functions immediately connected with the circulation. The principal danger of Menor rhagia depends upon the immediate loss of blood, which is often so considerable as to reduce the vital actions to a very alarming state of debility ; but it may be observed that, unless it arises from some structural disease of the organ, or is connected with pregnancy or parturition, when it becomes a symptomatic affection, it may usually be restrained by the proper application of remedies.— These are both general and local ; the latter are employ ed to remove the urgent symptoms, and the former to prevent their recurrence.
in stopping haemorrhage, the immediate object which we have in view is, to produce a coagulum at the mouths of the bleeding vessels, which, in this case, is principal ly to be accomplished by the topical application of cold.
This, partly by its mechanical astringent operation, and partly by its sedative action on the vital powers, seems to diminish the flow of blood along the capillary arteries, and thus admits of the coagulation of the fluid which lies rear their termination. Perfect rest, abstinence, and the means which were recommended in the other exter nal hxmorrhages, are to be pursued in this complaint ; and, in the same manner, we may employ the lancet, or may administer digitalis, where they seem to be indica ted. There is often a degree of restlessness in this complaint which renders opium necesssary. We gene rally find that acids and neutral salts are prescribed, upon the principle of their being refrigerant ; but this effect we are disposed to regard as altogether hypothetical.— The former, at least the citric acid, may be useful in quenching thirst ; but the latter we conceive to be al ways injurious. Astringents and tonics of various kinds have been administered in INIenorrhagia, with a view of securing the system against its recurrence. We are of opinion, that it is impossible to produce any astringent effect upon an individual organ through the medium of the stomach ; and with respect to tonics, we may observe that their operation is of a critical nature. Perhaps, when the system has been much exhausted by the vio lence of the complaint, or where copious bleeding has been thought necessary to repress it, such remedies may be indicated ; but we must bear in mind, that their ef fect is ultimately to produce that state of the system which will tend to lay the foundation for the return of the complaint. In most cases, a suitable attention to diet, and to those circumstances which are calculated to establish the healthy action of the digestive organs, will be found sufficient to recruit the system, and is the safer plan of proceeding. We think it may be questioned, how far there is ever an idiopathic Menorrhagia, which proceeds from absolute weakness of the part, al though such a state is generally described by systematic writers ; for it must be observed, that even where there is a general languor of the circulation, still a relative state of activity may prevail in the uterine system. If, however, such a state really exist, the stimulating plan would be improper, or, at least, of doubtful effect, not withstanding it might appear to be indicated by the state of the constitution. We must abstain from depletion, or employ it with great caution, and are to trust to topical remedies, with the assiduous employment of those means which may confirm the general health without increasing the activity of the circulation.