Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/28

4] only to prevent, but in many cases to remove, disease. See this subject under the articles and.  ABORTION, or miscarriage, is, in modern times, justly considered as a misfortune; though the detestable and unnatural vice of procuring it by art, was connived at by the ancient Romans; whose disgraceful fall, as a nation, may in a great measure be attributed to their luxurious manners, and immoral habits.

As the history of this subject is rather disgusting than instructive, we shall proceed to state matters of a more useful tendency: we may, however, previously observe, that those enemies of human nature, who attempt to procure artificial abortion, generally experience either the punishment due to this outrage, by the fatal consequences which often destroy both mother and child, or not less frequently all the powers of art prove ineffectual, and the abandoned creature is tormented only with bitter remorse.

Weakly and irritable, hysterical, passionate, and especially voluptuous women of a plethoric habit, are most liable to miscarriage; though it may also happen from a general defective constitution, or rather from a malconformation of the sexual organs. The most frequent causes of abortion, however, are, the depressing passions, such as grief and fear; debility of the mother, especially if occasioned by great loss of blood; violent exercise of every kind, but particularly sudden stooping, and lifting weights; all diseases which agitate the whole frame, as fevers, convulsive fits, and coughing; as well as falls and blows on the abdomen; an indolent and irregular mode of living, whether too high, or on too poor sustenance; and sometimes even offensive smells.

The symptoms indicating abortion are, cold shiverings of short duration; nausea seldom accompanied with vomiting; pain about the loins, but more frequently in the abdomen, below the navel, and in the thighs; depression and softness of the breasts; palpitation of the limbs, and more especially of the heart; sinking of the lower belly; and a discharge, of various appearance, from the uterus.

One of the most general expedients adopted to prevent a miscarriage, has been periodical blood-letting, either from the arm or foot; which, in plethoric constitutions, has sometimes been carried to such excess, as to be repeated every month, during pregnancy. This practice, however, so prevalent in France and Germany, is hazardous, and liable to many strong objections; for, as abortions most generally occur in debilitated and nervous women, such losses of the vital fluid cannot but be attended with detrimental effects. According to the opinion of experienced practitioners, bleeding is advisable only in cases where particular circumstances concur to render such a diminution necessary, and even then, two small venæsections, from four to five ounces each, within the space of four or six days, are generally sufficient to obviate the most urgent symptoms.

The most effectual method of preventing such accidents, consists in a regular mode of life previous to pregnancy, occasionally aided by bracing remedies, such as the cold bath, moderate exercise on horseback or on foot, the use of mineral waters; in short, all those means which tend to counteract nervous and hysteric debility, or, in other words, which are proper for irritable habits.