Leucorrhea is the symptomatic manifestation of some uterine or vaginal affection, vulgarly called "whites." We say symptomatic, for the white or yellowish discharge, which we term leucorrhea, is not a disease, but a symptom of some uterine or vaginal disorder. We call it a white discharge to distinguish it from the menses and uterine hemorrhages. It varies, however, in color and consistency from a white, glairy mucus to a yellow or greenish, purulent, fetid matter. Sometimes it has a curdled appearance, at others, it is of the consistency of cream. Leucorrhea is the most common symptom of uterine derangement, and there are few females who are not affected by it at some period of life. It may originate either in the vagina or uterus, and it is accordingly termed either vaginal or uterine leucorrhea. The nature of leucorrhea is analogous to that of nasal catarrh. In a healthy state, the lining membrane of the genital organs secretes sufficient mucus to moisten them; but, if the mucous membrane is temporarily congested or inflamed, the secretion becomes profuse, irritating, and offensive. Vaginal and uterine leucorrhea are essentially different in character, the former being an acid, and the latter an alkaline secretion, and, while the first is a creamy, purulent fluid, the latter is thick and ropy, like the white of an egg. In fact, the latter discharge is rich in albuminous matter and blood-corpuscles, hence, its great debilitating effect upon the system, and, if not promptly arrested it is likely to produce vaginitis, pruritus vulvce, or vulvitis.

Vaginitis is indicated by intense inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vagina. When this affection is present the patient experiences a sense of burning heat, aching and weight in the region of the vagina, violent and throbbing pains in the pelvis, and the discharge is profuse and very offensive. There is also a frequent desire to urinate, and the passage of the urine causes a sensation of scalding.

Pruritus VulvÆ. The discharge irritates the nerves of the external genital parts, thus producing an almost unendurable itching. Scratching or rubbing the parts only aggravates the affection. The patient is tormented night and day, is deprived of sleep, and naturally becomes despondent. Pruritus vulvÆ, in its severest forms, is often developed when the discharge is scarcely noticeable. It is the most common result or accompaniment of leucorrhea.

Vulvitis. This term indicates an inflammation of the lining membrane of the external genital parts. Sometimes the inflammation extends to the deeper tissues, causing great pain, and even suppuration, resulting in the formation of an abscess. The attack is indicated by redness, swelling, and a feverish state of the affected parts, which [pg 703]is quickly followed by a profuse flow of yellow pus, and, in some instances, small ulcers are formed on the affected parts.

Symptoms. The sufferer from leucorrhea becomes pale and emaciated, the eyes dull and heavy, the functions of the skin, stomach and bowels become deranged, more or less pain in the head is experienced, sometimes accompanied with dizziness, palpitation is common, and, as the disease progresses, the blood becomes impoverished, the feet and ankles are swollen, the mind is apprehensive and melancholy, and very frequently the function of generation is injured, resulting in complete sterility. Exercise produces pain in the small of the back and the lower portion of the spine, and, owing to a relation of the vaginal walls, the womb falls far below its natural position, or turns in various directions, according to the manner in which the weight above rests upon it. Ulcers are apt to appear upon the mouth of the womb, the matter from which tinges the discharge and stains the linen. Hysteria is often an attendant of this disease.

Causes. The immediate cause of leucorrhea is either congestion, or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vagina or womb, or both. The exciting causes are numerous. Among others, deranged menstruation, prolonged nursing of children, pregnancy, abortions, excessive indulgence in sexual intercourse, uncleanliness, piles, uterine ulcers, and displacement of the womb, are the most common. In brief, it usually accompanies every uterine disorder which vitiates and reduces the system. During childhood, particularly in scrofulous children, discharges from the vagina are not unfrequent, owing to worms or other intestinal irritation.

Among the organic causes of leucorrhea, are ulceration of the mouth or neck of the womb and tumors. These will be considered hereafter.

Treatment. We have dwelt upon leucorrhea because of its prevalence and in order to exhibit the various forms it may assume. These reasons long ago prompted us to investigate it; and, ascertaining the derangement to consist in a relaxation of the walls of the vagina, attendant upon depressed vitality, for many years we experimented with various medicines to find those that would exercise specific properties in restoring the tissues involved to a natural condition, thereby arresting the abnormal discharge. Our efforts in that direction have been very successful, and our expectations more than realized. The treatment which we shall recommend is rational, based upon the pathological conditions of the disease, and has been attended with the greatest success.

It embraces the use of those general restoratives and specific uterine tonics, so harmoniously combined in Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription, a remedy which has achieved unparalleled success in the cure of this affection and won the highest praise from thousands of grateful women. It many cases, it is well to accompany its use with alterative treatment, for which the "Golden Medical Discovery" will be found [pg 704]especially effective. It is an absurd practice to arrest the discharge with astringent injections alone. The weak and lax walls of the vagina, as well as the other tissues of the system, require strength, and this can be gained only by the use of general and special tonics. Appropriate injections as auxiliary treatment will very much assist in the cure. The "Favorite Prescription" is a special tonic for the affected parts, and the "Golden Medical Discovery" is the best general alterative of which we have any knowledge. They may be taken in alternate doses every day. If the patient is very pale and anÆmic, one drachm of the carbonate, or two drachms of the citrate or pyrophosphate of iron, may be advantageously added to each bottle of the "Favorite Prescription." If the carbonate be employed, as it is insoluble, the bottle should be well shaken every time before using. The functions of the skin should be kept active by frequent baths, and the patient, if able, should walk or ride in the open air, and freely expose herself to the sunshine. If the invalid be too weak to exercise much, she should go out in warm weather and sit in the open air. Sunshine is no less important in maintaining animal, than in supporting vegetable growth and health. The human being, like the plant, sickens and grows pale, weak and tender, if secluded from the sunlight. The apartments occupied should be thoroughly ventilated. Many women are sickly and feeble because they live in badly ventilated rooms.

We cannot too strongly urge in this, as in all other chronic diseases peculiar to women, that the bowels be kept regular. Frequent, but small doses of Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets will prove most beneficial. If the vaginal passage is tender and irritable, an infusion, or tea of slippery-elm bark is very soothing, and may be used freely with a vaginal syringe. Whatever injection is employed, should be preceded by the free use of Castile soap and warm water, to thoroughly cleanse the parts. One part of glycerine to six parts of water is a soothing lotion when there is much tenderness, heat, and pain in the vagina. If there be no great tenderness in the vagina, or if the acute, inflammatory symptoms have yielded to the lotions already suggested, then a tonic and astringent injection should be employed.

For this purpose a wash made by dissolving one of DR. PIERCE'S PURIFYING AND STRENGTHENING LOTION TABLETS, in one pint of hot water is a superior application and will not fail to be of great benefit in controlling the disagreeable drain. If your medicine dealer is not supplied with these, mail 25 cents in one-cent stamps to us and we will forward a box of the Lotion Tablets by return post.

These Lotion Tablets have for many years been used in the treatment of obstinate cases of leucorrhea at the Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, and their efficiency has been alike gratifying to both patient and physician.

If pruritus or severe itching, be also a symptom, the itching will readily yield if the parts be cleansed with Castile or other fine soap [pg 705]and warm water, followed by the application of a compound composed of two ounces of glycerine, one ounce of rose-water, and one drachm of sulphite of soda; or, for the sulphite of soda, two drachms of borax may be substituted. The following lotion is a good one to relieve pruritus: sugar of lead, two drachms; carbolic acid, half a drachm; laudanum, four ounces; glycerine, four ounces; water, four pints; mix. This may be applied to the itching parts, and also injected into the vagina.

Illustration: Fig. 6. FOUNTAIN SYRINGE.
Fig. 6. FOUNTAIN SYRINGE.

How to Use Vaginal Injections. We usually recommend the Fountain Syringe illustrated in Fig. 6, as the most convenient instrument for administering vaginal injections. The fountains supplied by us are of soft rubber, and have extra nozzles, with which to make rectal, nasal or ear irrigations. There is also a large, long nozzle for vaginal injections.

Illustration: Fig. 7. SOFT RUBBER-BULB SYRINGE
Fig. 7. SOFT RUBBER-BULB SYRINGE

It is channeled so is to permit the free clearing [pg 706]away of the secretions as the Douche is employed. The Fountain Syringe can he used without assistance, the flow of fluid is gradual, and with a force that can be varied, by raising or lowering the reservoir, yet is never so great as to be liable to produce injurious effects.

The syringes usually sold with small nozzles or pipes are of little or no value for vaginal injections. In many instances so small a tube will pass readily into the canal of the uterus, and hence there has frequently resulted an injection of a portion of the fluid into the uterus itself, producing severe pain. It is important, therefore, in using the Vaginal Douche to employ only a large tube that has grooves in its surface for the free clearing away of the fluid as it runs from the fountain.

Where it is desired to obtain relief from a congested, inflamed or sensitive and irritable state of the mucous surface, the employment of a large quantity of water as hot as it can be borne, is of the greatest remedial value. It rapidly diminishes the size of the blood vessels, and aids in bringing about a normal circulation in the parts.

As a rule, in taking the Douche with the Fountain Syringe the rubber bag is filled, and suspended from a nail or hook at a height of from two to five feet above the patient, and the fluid passes through the tube by force of gravity, thus requiring no muscular exercise. The force of the stream depends upon the height of the fountain above the outlet nozzle. It is only necessary that the patient should assume a comfortable position where the fluid which comes from the vaginal canal can flow into a water closet, or any convenient vessel.

After a thorough cleansing of the vaginal surfaces of mucus, by means of the warm or hot water, it is sometimes advisable to inject remedial fluids. These injections may readily be made with the fountain or bulb syringe, introducing not less than from two to four ounces. This may be retained sufficiently long to exert its remedial effects upon the mucous surface, which usually takes from five to eight minutes. The hips should be elevated, and the nozzle of the syringe surrounded by a napkin or other similar material, upon which moderate compression can be made so as to retain the fluid in the vagina for the necessary period.

When suffering from any uterine trouble, it is necessary to avoid severe fatigue. The amount and character of exercise should be suited to the condition of the patient; while, most important of all, the strictest abstinence from sexual intercourse should be observed.

To those who are unable readily to obtain the Fountain Syringe above recommended we can send by mail, post-paid, one of these instruments on receipt of $2.00.

A Soft Rubber-bulb, or Pump Syringe (illustrated in Fig. 7), not so good for making vaginal injections, can be sent by us, post-paid, for from 75cts. to $1.50, the price varying with the quality and size.

[pg 707]