^fr 1«*4*, W-W-Z-J For the present, Up. 25 East 27th Street, Second Door East W of Madison Avenue. The Madison, Fourth, and Fifth ■ iv, Avenue Omnibuses and Cars pass, every few [%£ minutes, within a few doors of the E^VW /y \\ Institution. %M(fHlpt ______________, Mxm ,rvv>:-?=f" \ Eiifitifin m mum® THE CHRONIC DISEASES OF WOMEN, itste-w -itork:. MMJIARY SURGEON GENtHACS 0?**Fli | MAY.-12L-4902 DE. V-AJST DOREISPS titUttht in €tnih§ THE CHRONIC DISEASES OF WOMEN. Female Maladies and other Chronic Affections are often so complicated, obscure, or dangerous, as to be beyond the successful treatment of general ^... practitioners, the cure of which demands not only the highest skill of the Medical Profession, but that this skill should be confined almost exclusively to this class of diseases, as a specialty; and again, that this skill should be enhanced by the experience resulting only from an sxtensive practice in their successful treatment. Dr. Y. D., having long made Female Maladies, in all their Surgical and Medical bearings, his specialty, has found that the extent and the best inter- ests of his practice demanded the establishment of an Institution devoted expressly to the Diseases of* "Women. In this Institution, Ladies only are treated, for anyone, or all of the acute or chronic Affections with which they may be afflicted. The necessity of a truly Physiological Institution for the treatment of Female Maladies, has long been felt and acknowledged by all who have bestowed any attention to this subject. Our country abounds, j indeed, with Water-Cure Establishments; but the treatment adopted in them is by no means sufficient to meet all the varied conditions and kinds of Fe- male Diseases. "Water, as a remedial agent, is only valuable to a limited extent, as has been abundantly proved by all experience, and can not, there- fore, in the great majority of severe cases, be of any special value. There are other remedial agents of vastly more importance in the treatment of Fe- male Maladies, without which we could not hope to be successful, but witk which, we find that they may be radically enured. '. In view of these facts, this Institution is established upon strictly Phy- siological principles-, and will be conducted with reference to the most speedy and thorough cure of all such as may avail themselves of its advantages. Patients from abroad wilkjge .accommodated moat pleasantly in a private Boarding Establishment very near*the Institution. For particulars, address J. L. VAN DORM, M. D., New-Yokk. LADIES' CIRCULAR. Since the description of Female Maladies, or even their names, forbid any reference to them in the Public Journals, I have thought proper to adopt the present mode, in connection with my Public "> Lectures to Ladies, of calling attention of female sufferers to my professional treatment of the diseases peculiar to their sex. The present Circular, from its limited form, will not permit me to en- large upon any one of the many subjects therein alluded to. For ei more full account and description of their origin, nature, and treat- ment, see my " Treatise upon Chronic Diseases, Female Mala- dies, Child Bearing, &c," a small work of deep interest to all Ladies, especially the married, and with which all should be familiar. In the present day, and amid so great a variety of conflicting Medical Schools and Modes of Practice, the inquiry will natu- rally be made, what is my mode of practice ? My answer is, that I am a Regular Physician, aiming at the adoption of all that is found most valuable in the Allopathic or Old School, the New School or Eclectic, the Homeopathic, Botanic, and Hydropathic Schools; and at the same time rejecting all that is found in them to be worthless and injurious. In my practice, I am obliged also to adopt much that is new and and important, which, as yet^ ^s wholly unknown to all the above Schools. FEMALE MALADIES. Under this head, is embraced a large Class of Diseases and Suf- ferings, all which are connected, more or less, with the Uterine System. More than two-thirds of Female Sufferings belong to this class; and consequently, constitute a class of sufferings from which the Male Sex are wholly exempt. Hence it is, that women suffer so much more sickness and pain than men. It has therefore been truly said, that "Females are the suffering portion of the Human Family." Any close observer of the comparative health of the sexes, must be fully satisfied that there exists, in all sections of our country, at least three times more suffering on the part of Females than Men. Go where we may, and the same startling fact ever meets us in the pallid face, emaciated, or prostrated form, pro- tracted suffering, and premature deaths of Females. An intelligent American Authoress has, of late, been at the pains of gathering a careful statistical report upon the health of Ladies from no less than 200 reliable correspondents, in as many towns and cities in different parts of the Northern States ; the result of which highly interesting and important investigations she has recently published for the benefit of her sex, in " Letters to the People on Health and Happi- ness.'''' From these investigations it was found that only a small proportion of Ladies were enjoying good health, while the remain- ing large majority were suffering more or less as invalids. The report of 26 Towns and Cities, from which the writer obtained the most minute and reliable statistics of the health of the 260 Ladies, with whom the several correspondents were most familiar FEMALE MALADIES. 3 is given infujl—from which report the following startling facts are had, viz., that there were only 40 Ladies enjoying good health in 200, being less than 16 healthful Ladies in 100—thereby leaving 84 in each 100 as invalids. If the remaining 174 Towns and Cities had given equally correct and faithful reports, the result, no doubt, would have been equally sad—several of the correspondents state, that they do not know one perfectly well Lady in their re- spective towns. What a striking illustration of the great defects in our Female Physical Education, fashionable modes of dress, daily habits of life, and, above all, of the inefficiency, and often more than worthless- tiess of the present popular Medical treatment of Female Maladies. It is not my purpose here to expatiate upon the causes of female suf- ferings. Suffice it to say, that from a very extensive experience in the professional treatment of this class of suffering, I feel fully justified • in stating that more than one-half of all female suffering connected with the Uterine System, results from inefficient, and too often, injurious treatment of the Medical Profession. How common is it for such Female Patients to be under the successive treatment of different Physicians, of the highest eminence, for months, and years, with little or no benefit; until, from their repeated failures, and large expenditures, they have lost all faith in all Doctors, and every kind of medical treatment. Being* deeply' impressed with the above want of success in the general treatment of Female Sufferers, and also with the vast amount of suffering arising from that class of diseases generally known as Female Maladies, I determined, several years since, to devote, in future, mv special attention and professional services to this Class of Diseases. My facilities for becoming familiar with these Maladies, and the most approved Modes of treatment, have been great; to which may be added a very extensive and successful practice in the same. Under these circumstances I feel justified in my invitations to all suffering Females to examine my views and new modes of treat- ment. 4 FEMALE MALADIES. UTERINE DERANGEMENTS. In a Circular of a few pages, nothing more than a few passing remarks can be given upon some only, of the most common and important of the many maladies that are directly, or indirectly con nected with the womb. Prolapsus Uteri, or, Falling of the Womb.—Under this general term is included all the different displacements of the womb; such as Anteflection and Anteversion, a leaning, or falling forward of the womb ; Retroflection and Retroversion, a leaning, or falling backward of the womb ; Obliquity, or falling sidewise of the womb; Inversion, or Introversion of the womb, the turning of the womb inside out, like the finger of a glove. Prolapsus Uteri, the proper or common Falling of the Womb, is when the Uterus sinks, or settles down more or less into the vagina, or front passage. In extreme cases, it not unfrequently passes wholly out of the body into the world, and sometimes remains there for many years. I once treated a patient whose womb had been in the world for more than twenty years. The Falling of the Womb is one of the most fruitful causes of female sufferings. In aggravated cases, the patient cannot stand, sit, or walk, but must at all times, lie upon a sofa or a bed. Many Ladies from this cause are bed-ridden for years. I have known them thus confined for 10, 20, and 30 years. Causes of the Falling of the Womb.—They are very nume- rous, for which see my " Treatise on Female Maladies, &c." I will at present name only two. First, Compressing the chest and abdomen by the tight lacing—long and tight waists of fashionable dresses. Second, Improper treatment in child-bed labor. FEMALE MALADIES. 5 Symptoms of the Falling of the Womb.—The Falling of the. Womb may be induced all at once, without a moment's warn- ing, or in a short time, or by slow degrees, requiring many weeks, or months. The symptoms are seldom the same in different persons. No one person, however aggravated her case, has all the symptoms at any one time. While one patient may have but few symp- toms, another may be suffering from many symptoms, and often those of the most afflicting nature. Nothing is more common than to find both patient and physicians mistaking several of the symptoms of the Falling of the Womb, for Kidney Affections, and adopting medical treatment for the kidneys, when it should have been for Prolapsus Uteri. ■■v The following are the more common symptoms of Prolapsus Uteri, or Falling of the Womb, by a careful examination of which, any lady can readily determine whether, or not, she has this malady. 1.—A bearing down, or pressing down, in the lower parts of the abdomen, or region of the womb, often resembling, and equaling severe labor pains. 2.—A heat or burning in the small of the back. This heat is \ often most afflicting and severe. Sometimes the patient is obliged to apply cloths, dipped in cold water, during the day, and sleep with wet cloths against the back all night. 3.—A sharp, or dull pain, or weakness, in the small of the back. 4.—A weakness, distress, or want of strength, all around the lower part of the abdomen, hips, and small of the back—form- ing a belt of weakness, as it were, around the lower part of the vnaist. This pain or weakness often increases as the day advances, till it sometimes becomes very severe before night. 5.—A wringing, or twisting pain in the loins, or region of the kidneys, or womb, often extending down to the extremity of the spine. G FEMALE MALADIES. 6.—A small spot in the small of the back, often no larger than a dollar piece—remarkably sore, and tender at all times to the touch. 7.—A numbness, or insensibility in the region of the kidneys, or hips, and sometimes extending down the thighs, and even the whole length of the legs. 8.—Greater or less soreness, or tenderness to the touch, in the small of the back, hips, or lower part of the abdomen, often so so great that the weight, or pressure, of the clothing or bed- covering occasions pain or distress. 9.—A dragging down, wringing or twisting pain in the groins, or lower abdomen. 10.—Great uneasiness in the Rectum or Bladder, with fre- quent or a constant desire to have the bowels move, or pass water, attended, at the same time, with more or less inability to perform these calls of nature. 11.—At other times, Strangury (a painful and difficult urinary discharge), or even a total suppression of water may take place. 12.—Hysteria, or Hysterics, and even severe attacks of Frantic Derangement, have resulted from the Falling of the Womb. 13.—Great Indisposition for bodily motion or exercise, with a desire to spend much of the time in sitting, or lying on the sofa, or in bed. 14.—At otner times an absolute inability to walk, stand, or even sit—the patient being compelled to lie on a bed, or sofa, as helpless as an infant. In extreme cases, the patients are as un- able to turn in bed as a corpse. I have met with several such— who could no more turn themselves on a couch, or bed, than a dead person; and yet these same persons were, otherwise, more or less, in apparent health and fullness of flesh, often with good appe- tites, and eating their three meals a day. 16.—At other times, all at once, a total inability to stand, sit or walk, (not unlike a stroke of palsy,) takes place in one FEMALE MALADIES. 7 minute of time—resulting from sudden prolapsus. This attack, though greatly resembling paralysis, yet in many respects wholly differs from paralysis, and is altogether a distinct malady. 17.—Irritability of Temper often exists. Persons naturally of mild, amiable, and lovely dispositions, suddenly become sub- ject to great excitabilitg of temper, from the least, and often most trifling causes—all which irascibility of temper passes away im- mediately upon being cured of the Falling of the Womb. 18.—Again, a childish weakness, or imbecility of mind and tem- per, not much unlike a species of dementation or idiocy may take place. Sometimes extreme nervousness, attended with great tremulousness, or fear fulness, are among the symptoms. 19.—At other times, Capriciousness of Temper is manifested. At one time cheerful, amiable, and kind—at another time, with little or no sufficient cause, cold, morose, peevish, sullen, cross, scolding, &c. 20.__Sudden fits of indisposition to move, the patient all at once stopping, or standing still—attended with great confusion of mind, of seeing, hearing, &c, are witnessed. 21.—The Confusion of mind is sometimes so frequent, and so great, as to disqualify the patient from the benefits of conver- sation, reading, hearing sermons, attending religious services, or attending the ordinary duties of life. 22.—The Optic Nerve in some patients is partially paralyzed —inducing a vision partially obscured, or beclouded as by a mist, or smoke ; at other times, with total blindness—which disturb- ances of the eye-sight, in some cases, are only monthly—taking place at each return of the menses, while in others it is ex- perienced at any or all times. These attacks may last but for a few moments at a time, or for many minutes, hours, days, or even years. 23.—At other times, the derangement of eye-sight comes on gradually, and early in life. The young lady suspects that she 8 FEMALE MALADIES. is prematurely losing her eye-sight, as in old age. She will be induced to make trials of using the spectacles of her parents, or others, hoping to correct her impaired vision; but, finding no relief, she makes trial of all the glasses within her reach; and, finding all to fail, she concludes that she is loosing her eye-sight, and fears a total blindness. When this derangemet of the eye- sight is caused by Prolapsus, or other uterine disturbances, it is all corrected as soon as the patient is cured of her female mala- dies. 24.—In some cases, objects are seen indistinctly, or onlp in part, or one-half, or double, inverted, surrounded with a halo (a bright or dark circle around the object). At other times, specks, motes, threads, cobwebs, &c, appear floating in the vision. 25.—Palpitation of the Heart, more or less severe; pain and *" distress in the region of the heart; also oppression, or difficulty in breathing—may exist. 26.—Amenorrhea, or Suppression of Menses; also Dysmonorr- hoea, or Painful Menses—often result from Prolapsus. 27.—Leucorrhcea, Fluor Albus, or Whites — a wasting and health-destroying malady—very generally attend this malady ; hence, it often happens that it is impossible to cure Leucorrhcea until the Falling of the Womb is first cured. ' 28.—From the distress that is experienced in the abdomen and region of the womb, the patient is obliged to move or walk carefully, often holding up her bowels tuith her hands, to prevent jolting or jarring. She leans forward while sitting, standing, or walking; steps cautiously and softly, so as to prevent soreness or pains in the abdomen, or dragging down or "goneness " in the region of the stomach. 29.—At other times the patient can not walk but a few yards, rods, or short distance, at a time, without stopping to rest; or she may be unable to walk at all, unless sustained by leaning upon the arms of one or two attendants, or by the support of a cane or crutches, or by placing the hands upon the tops of chairs or tables, or against the wall, &c. •FEMALE MALADIES. D 30.—Pains, more or less severe, may be felt in the hips, hip- joints, top of the hips, or in the thighs ; sometimes passing down the thighs, or the back part of the lower limbs to the heels, and even soles of the feet. 31.—Cramps in the abdomen, or region of the womb; or numbness in the thighs; or a prickling sensation, as is felt when the limb is said to be asleep—#re sometimes experienced. 32.—The patient may feel quite well in the morning, but soon and easily becomes fatigued, exhausted, or filled with pain or dis* tress, not unfrequently before noon or evening. Such patients almost always are easily fatigued by walking, going up stairs, up hill, or even about the house. All such exercise is apt to be at- tended with great exhaustion, distress, or pain. 33.— Capriciousness, or Fickleness of Appetite, is often experi- enced ; at one time good, at another bad—at one time craving this or that thing, and at another time regarding the same with disrelish, or even disgust. 34.—In some cases the patient is prevented from sitting upon a hard seat, unless covered by a pillow, or cushion, on account of the interference of the womb. In other words, the womb is so fallen, that the patient has the feeling, as if she were sitting upon her own womb. 35.—Obstinate Constipation, or Costiveness of the bowels, sometimes results from the pressure of the womb against the reotum, in cases of retroversion of the uterus. 36.—Swelling and pains in the lower limbs frequently result from Prolapsus. 37.—Incontinence of Urine, or frequent calls to make water; and even a total inability to retain the water at all. 38.—Sometimes the patient suffers from sharp or severe pain in the Pules—the bone in front and lower part of the abdo- men. 39.—At other times, a soreness, pains, or inflammation of the 10 FEMALE MALADIES. bladder, takes place from the continued pressure of the womb upon that organ. 40.—When the descent of the womb is so great as to pass almost, or wholly into the world, it is a demonstrative proof of the fact, rather than a symptom of the Falling of the Womb. 41.—The Falling of the Womb often induces a soreness, ten- derness, or inflammation of that organ, or the vagina; some- times to so great a degree, that the least touch or disturbance of the womb, or vagina, is attended with great pain and suffering. 42.—Some patients are unable to lie in comfort unless the hips are raised higher than the head. Hence, such persons will re- move their pillows from under their heads, and place them under their hips. 43.—Another marked symptom of Prolapsus, is the uneasi- ness or distress that attends a sitting posture of the patient, unless her feet, lower limbs, or hips, are raised. In some cases, the feet or limbs must be raised as high as the seat of a chair, or even the top of a table. At. other times, pillows or cushions must be placed behind the hips to throw them forward, while the body is left reclining back- ward ; or the pillows or cushions must be placed under the thighs, to raise them. 44.—Another symptom of Prolapsus is a tenderness, sore- ness, or extreme pain in the lower vertebras of the spine, or back- bone, often extending to the very end. The least pressure upon these joints at such times gives pain. 45.—Sometimes a lady may long suffer from several severe and marked symptoms of the falling of the womb, and those, too, of the most afflicting kind—all which would indicate a true case of the Falling of the Womb ; yet, upon a careful examina* tion as to the position of the womb, there will be found no ap- parent displacement, or falling, or any other uterine derangement. Such a case I have denominated Uterine Debility. This uterine derangement requires the same treatment that will cure ordinary falling of the womb. FEMALE MALADIES. 11 When the foregoing symptoms arise from the derangement of I he Uterine System—which is almost universally the case—it will be utterly in vain to expect their cure, except from the re- moval of the cause, and in effecting a perfect cure of the Falling of the Womb. As the cure of the Falling of the Womb pro gresses, all these symptoms gradually pass away ; the patient, freed from her pain and sufferings, is once more restored to the enjoyment of perfect health and happiness. Diseases arising from the Falling of the Womb are, Leu- corrhosa, Fluor Albus or Whites, Miscarriage and Abortion, Bar- renness or Sterility, Dysmenorrhea or Difficult and Painful Menses, Menorrhagia, Profuse Menses, Uterine Hemorrhage or Flooding, Amenorrhoea or Suppression of Menses, Liver Affections, Palpitation of the Heart, Dyspepsia, Inflammation of Vagina, or Womb, Congestion and Enlargement of the Womb, Blindness, Amaurosis, Hysterical fits, Mental Derangement, Inability to stand, sit or walk, General Wasting away of Flesh, Decline in Health and Strength, Premature Decline, Consumption, and Death. Some two, three or more of the above maladies in almost all cases attend, more or less, the Falling of the Womb ; to cure all which, can only be effected by first removing their cause, viz., the Falling of the Womb. Cure of the Falling of the Womb.—Unfortunately for suffering females, our different Medical Schools have no known and reliable remedy for Prolapsus Uteri, the Falling of the Womb. Hence its very great prevalence in all grades of society. My individual practice, in treating this malady, is peculiarly my own, and not to be found in any of our medical authors. As yet it is wholly un- known to the professional world. It is the result of years of special study and experience in the treatment of a vast number of such patients. Thus far it has been almost universally successful. The cures have been effected in, from one, to four months. 12 FEMALE MALAi)l£3< The following Certificate, handed to Dr. V. D. by one of hi 9 New-York patients, is inserted here, corroborative of the merits of the new practice. Many other cases may be given of remarka- ble cures in New-York and other cities. Dr. Van Doren, Dear Sir—Having received the benefit of your Professional Services, justice to yourself, and regard for the sufferings of many thousands of my sex, is my apology for sending you the present communication, which you are at liberty to give to the public for the benefit of the afflicted. In the spring of 1852, you were invited to take charge of my case, after having long been treated by several skillful Allopathic Physicians of this City, during all which time, I received no benefit whatever, but continued to grow worse, until I was finally aban- doned by them all, as a hopeless and incurable case. My suffering arose from Uterine Derangement and Misplacement of the most aggravated kind. I had become so weak and prostrate, that I could not stand or walk for several weeks; and so wasted away in flesh, that I was carried like a child to and from my bed, in the arms of my attendants. If my child lay on the floor near me, I could not have lifted him jp into my lap to have saved bis life. In fine, so debilitated and emaciated had I become, that my friends did not think I would live but a few weeks longer. This was my true condition when I commenced taking your New Treat- ment for Female Maladies. I began to improve at once, and this continued so rapidly, that I was a wonder both to myself and friends; and, as a proof of the reality of the improvement, I have only to state, that at the end of only two months, I found myself well enough to take my child into my arms, and walk out to visit my friends, not only in the City of New-York, but also in Wil- liamsburgh. I am happy in being able to state, that I have enjoyed good health ever since. In this, your treatment in my case, I may here add, that you had no occasion to make the second visit. Ladies may obtain further particulars respecting the aggravated nature of my case, which would be improper to state in this communication, by calling at my residence, 279 Delancey Street, New-York. MRS. JOEL ROGERS. June 19, 1854. FEMALE MALADIE3. 13 The authoress of the above letter, was a young married lady, whose first child, when I was called to see her, was large and healthy, and about one year old. Her malady was one of the severest cases of the Falling of the Womb ; so much so, that the womb had passed wholly out of the body into the world, and there bad remained for many weeks. It was in a highly diseased state, and all covered with ulcers, which were daily discharging most profusely a puru- lent and offensive pus, or matter. Although her case had for many months baffled the treatment of her Allopathic physicians, and had been abandoned by them as incurable, yet it yielded at once to my treatment, so that at the end of two months she was considered by herself and her friends as well. She has thus continued till the present time. Enlargement of the Womb.—This affection is often taken for pregnancy, or dropsy, and is almost always attended with other serious difficulties. This malady requires the same medical treat- ment that is employed in the Congestion of the Womb. Polypus of the Womb.—A fungus tumor growing out from some part of the womb. It is generally of the shape of a pear. It has been known to grow as large as a quart measure. I removed one from a young lady in the City of New-York some months since, which was nearly as large as the heart of an ox, and weighed at least three pounds. It was attached to the neck of the womb, near its mouth. As it increased in size, its great weight caused it so far to settle down, as at length to pass out of the body into the world, drawing at the same time the womb also into the world for some 4 or 5 inches ; so that both the polypus and womb were alto- gether out of the body, and had been in that condition for several years. This Polypus had been growing for ten years before the young lady sought its removal; and not then, until she had be- 14 FEMALE MALADIES. come greatly emaciated, and so prostrate and weak, that she was able to walk but a few rods at a time. This huge Polypus was removed with little or no pain ; the wound speedily healed ; and in a few weeks the womb was fully and permanently restored to its proper place in the body. During the above treatment the pa- tient gained at least some 15 lbs. of flesh. In about 3 months she considered herself as perfectly cured. This Polypus is preserved in spirits, and may be seen in my office, in the City of New York, at any time. Scirrhus, or Cancerous Womb.—This malady is almost always confined to the mouth of the womb, and is quite common. Its importance always demands the early and special treatment of an experienced and skillful physician; since, if neglected, it may result in a confirmed and fatal cancer of the womb. In its early stages, the New School treatment is universally successful. Cancer of the Womb.—This malady is generally the result of the neglect, or improper treatment of the last named disease. It is truly one of the most painfut and fatal of all Female Malu- dies, if not indeed, of all that can afflict the bumau family. When cancer is fully established in the womb, the pains and suffering of the unfortunate victim, are hardly less than those of an inward living, and slowly consuming fire. The first stages often pass on so free from the usual pains and ailments, common to ordinary falling of the womb, that the patient never suspects that one of the most awful of diseases is already existing like a concealed fire in her very vitals, silently spreading, and strengthening, but soon destined to burst out and consume the whole body. Under all ordinary treatment of the different Medical Schools—■ Cancer of the Womb is hardly ever cured, and almost invariably FEMALE MALADIES. 15 fatal. Late and highly important discoveries and improvements have been made by my New York Pjofessional Associates, whereby, this and other hitherto fatal diseases may be radically cured. This new treatment can only be bad at our establishment in the city of New-York, in connection with our Electro-Chemical Baths. Hydatids of the Womb.—This is a foreign collection of small cells, or bladders, attached to each other like a huge clus- ter of grapes. Its growth is in the interior of the womb, and is often mistaken for pregnancy. They are generally confined to married ladies. Certain symptoms are signs of the presence of Hytadids in the womb, which, when known to exist, may always be removed by proper and safe treatment. Their removal should always be effected as soon as possible. Calculus, or Stone of the Womb.—They are the same as the Stone of the Bladder. They are rare, and not as painful or dangerous as the Stone in the Bladder. They may always be re- moved with comparative ease and safety, when known to exist. Hydrometra, or Dropsy of the Womb.—This is a dan- gerous and generally fatal disease. The water has been known to exceed 100 pints. With proper treatment in its early stages, it is generally cured; but if improperly treated, or neglected, it is sure to prove fatal, sooner or later. This is often mistaken for Pregnancy. Uterine Tympanitis, Physometra.— Wind or gas in the Womb. This uncommon disease is, generally, in its first 16 FEMALE MALADIES. stages, mistaken for Pregnancy, from which the skillful Physician may readily distinguish it. It is often a source of much incon- venience, but more frequently of the deepest mortification from the uncontrolable explosive expulsion of a small portion of this wind, or gas—upon any compression of the abdomen or womb. It may be readily cured with proper local and constitutional treatment. Metritis, or Inflammation of the Womb.—This is one of the most painful, and often fatal of Female maladies. It may become chronic. In acute cases, like the Inflammation of the bowels, it requires prompt and efficient treatment, otherwise the life of the patient is in danger. The proper treatment for the two maladies is the same, and almost always most successful. Rheumatism and Neuralgia of the Womb.-The symptoms of Uterine Rheumatism are quite the same with those of the Inflammation of the Womb, but they require wholly different treatment. It requires a skillful Physician to detect the difference between the two diseases. The treatment that cures one malady, would be injurious in the other. Uterine Neuralgia is characterized by all the symptoms of Neuralgia in any other part of the body, and requires the same treatment. Ovaritis, or Inflammation of the Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes-The Ovaries, and other appendages of the Womb are as Hable "to inflammation as the womb itself. It may be most pain u and dangerous. Abscesses sometimes are formed-followed by a discharge of pus, or purulent matte, If the discharge be made m FEMALE MALADIES. 17 the cavity of the abdomen, it will prove fatal. It often becomes chronic. If properly treated in the commencement, this malady may be readily cured, but if neglected till an abscess is formed, it is generally beyond the reach of medicine. It should therefore al- ways be treated as soon as the symptoms are felt, which are a burn- ing, or sharp lancinating pain—a small tumor or swelling in one or both of the groins. This inflammation may extend over the whole abdomen. Ovarian Dropsy.—This is one of the most afflicting and fatal of Female Maladies. It may always be discovered and known by the existence of a small tumor in one, or both of the groins— at first, about the size of a large hen's egg. It may increase slowly and gradually for many years—or it may increase very rapidly. If neglected, or improperly treated, it will continue to increase till the collection of water may become enormous—more than one hundred pints have been removed at one time. Usually 10—20, 30 or 40 pints are removed by each tapping. Cutting out the tumor in the/early stages, and tapping in the advanced stages, are the usual and almost only treatment of most physicians. The one is most dangerous and fatal—while the other only affords temporary relief,—and seldom, if ever cures. It is all-important that it be properly treated as soon as discovered. I have treated several Ovarian Tumors with great success; some of them of several years standing, without either cutting or tapping. Vaginitis, or Inflammation of the Vagina.—This malady is common; and independent of the pains and sufferings attending the inflammation, it is liable to become chronic, produc- 'ng excessive Leucorrhoea, Abcesses, Ulcers, or Fistulas. There ia 18 FEMALE MALADIES. also danger of the walls or sides of the Vagina closing up, cr growing together. This malady therefore always demands prompt and efficient treatment from the commencement. Pruritus Vulvae, Vaginae, et Ani, or itching of those farts. This itching is often of the most intolerable and tormenting character. It is but seldom relieved or cured by ordinary treat- ment. Hence it often exists for years. The treatment used by me affords immediate relief, and effects a speedy cure. It is the result of the experimental treatment of an eminent New York Phy- sician upon himself for 18 years, during all which time he was a great sufferer from Pruritus in Ano. This Physician gave me the treatment as a special favor, since which, I have employed it in the treatment of many such patients with universal success. Leucorrhcea, Fluor Albus, or Whites.—This is one of the most common, and sometimes most afflicting of Female Maladies. In all cases, it is always highly injurious to the health of the patient; and in severe cases, may lead to premature decay and death. It is too familiar to all Ladies to need any further remarks respecting its nature or symptoms. Under ordinary treatment, aggravated cases are often most difficult of cure, and not unfre- quently wholly incurable. By proper constitutional and local treat- ment, I have always found the most aggravated and hitherto obstinate cases to yield, and be cured in a few days, or weeks. I have lately treated successfully in a few weeks a very severe and obstinate case in the city of New York, which had been faithfully attended by two eminent Allopathic Physicians of this city, for four years, without the least improvement whatever. FEMALE MALADIES. 19 Menses.—The importance of the healthful and proper Men strual discharges in all females, cannot be too highly regarded- Te&s of thousands of Females are yearly ruined in health, and thou- sands annually fill a premature grave, solely through their igno- rance, neglect, or improper treatment of their Monthly Turns. Nc Lady can long enjoy health, whose Menses are either wanting, defi- cient, or too profuse. Amenorrhoea, or Absence of Menses.—From what- ever cause this malady may arise, immediate measures should be taken to have them properly established, since the health, and even life itself may be dependent upon their restoration. Epileptic Fits often result from the Absence, or Suppression of the menses. Bleed- ing, a popular and common treatment for the restoration of the menses, is both absurd and highly injurious. No Lady should ever submit to bleeding, under any circumstances, or on any occasion whatever. With proper treatment, a return of the menses can always be effected in a few days or weeks. Dysmenorrhcea, or Painful Menses.—This malady is common, and sometimes the pain equals that of the most excruciating labor pains in Parturition. This difficulty is often attended with Sterility, or Barrenness. Such Ladies seldom become mothers, until after they are cured of this malady. In my practice I have found all such cases, however aggravated, to be cured generally in some two to three months. A few obstinate cases have required longer time. Menorrhagia, or Immoderate Flow of Menses.— This menstrual derangement, if not cured soon, enfeebles the con- stitution. The strength, health, and appetite fail, often to be fol 20 FEMALE MALADILS. lowed by Uterine Hemorrhage, or other serious maladies. In this distressed condition, the patient may drag out months or years of misery, till carried off by a premature death. However obstinate this malady has generally been found under Allopathic and Homeopathic treatment, I am happy in stating to all such suffer- ers, as well as to those who are afflicted with the following malady, viz: Uterine Hemorrhage or Flooding, that in an extensive prac- tice, and with many patients suffering from these complaints in their most aggravated forms, I have hitherto never found any difficulty in affording immediate relief, and of effecting a speedy and permanent cure. Uterine Hemorrhage or Flooding.—This differs from the last, in that the discharges are pure blood, generally sudden and very abundant; sometimes amounting to quarts, and not unfrequently resulting in death in a few minutes, or hours. It sometimes becomes chronic, and confines the patient to her room or bed for many months or years. This dangerous malady most frequently results from Abortion, Miscarriage, or Malpractice in Midwifery, so common in all parts of the land. For illustrations of f which Malpractice, see my Treatise on Female Maladies, Child- Bearing, &c,