Nelson's Northern Lancet and American Journal of Medical Jurisprudence (V. 9)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ...is often the index of future health, or of premature and painful decline. The function of menstruation, which exercises such a controlling influence over the economy, appears in the former case with marked regularity, and in entire accordance with the appointments of Nature, as a general rule; whilst, in the latter, in consequence of influences which have subjected the nervous system to continued excitement, thus prematurely developing the vital forces, menstruation is characterized by evident aberrations, and more or less derangement in the various functions of the body. This departure from the exactions of Nature is too frequently followed by the penalty of severe suffering and disease. The young and thoughtless girl who, in her wayward eareer, so far contravenes the laws of Nature as to interfere u'ilh the menstrual function, imposes on herself a life of sorrow if not of irremediable ill-health. Between this function and the thoracic viscera as also other portions of the system--as you haveseen exemplified in numerous eases in this Clinique--there is a close alliance, which unhappily too often escapes the observation of the practitioner. Palpitation of the heart, asthma, hemoptysis, are common consequences of disturbed action in the uterus; and instead of being regarded as the direct effects of uterrne derangement, should they be treated without any reference to their legitimate cause, serious if not fatal results must necessarily ensue. Look, too, at the condition of the nervous system in cases of either retention or suppression of the menses. 'It is thrown into extraordinary excitement, producing convulsions, hysteria, catalepsy, chorea, and even mania. Do not these facts declare in silent yet eloquent language the complete sub. jection in...