Page:The Texas Medical Journal, vol. 18.djvu/342

330 on her back with the hips sufficiently raised to permit the reaction in the vagina of as much of the alkaline solution as it will hold.

The rapidity with which this treatment will reduce temperature, relieve pain, stop vomiting and remove offensive odor is marvelous to one who has not tried it. Sometimes two flushings are sufficient to cleanse the uterus thoroughly; vaginal douches being all that are needed subsequently to complete the work.

Uterine congestion is speedily relieved, and the uterine discharge changes from brown, thick bad smelling mucus, to a thin transparent one, accompanied or followed by more or less of a flow of blood.

A reduction in the frequency of the flushings is desirable as soon as a tendency to return to normal conditions begins to be observed, as it frequently will return within twenty-four hours. Then simple vaginal douches every three hours with an occasional uterine flushing if symptoms indicate it.

The action of exosmosis (and endosmosis, for there is every reason to believe in the absorption of some of the fluid) is what is desired to relieve the existing congestion, as in a bronchitis, pneumonia, congestion of kidney, congestion of any mucous membrane, etc., and is the most rational means of restoring to normal condition.

I do not wish to be anderstood as decrying the use of that most valuable instrument, the curette, but only the abuse of it, to wit: its employment under such conditions as make it practically a sharp weapon loaded with septic matter, dangerous beyond the poisoned arrow of the Malay, or the fang of the cobra, and utterly opposed to our modern ideas of antisepsis.

Every good physician in Texas should read the splendid article of Dr. A. Duane, of New York, entitled “Some Considerations on the Hygienic and Prophylactic Treatment of Myopia.” He says, “patient should employ the full correction of his myopia all the time both for distance and near work. Proper attention should be paid to illumination. In low and medium myopia moderate restriction of near work with momentary rest of the eyes at intervals should be advised, while in high and progressive myopia more