Chapter 8

DISEASES OF THE UTERUS AND OVARIES.

=Inflammation of the Uterus.=--Inflammation of the uterus may be either acute or chronic. When acute, as following an abortion, taking cold during menstruation, etc., there is considerable fever, pain in the lower part of the bowels, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, tenderness on pressure over the uterus, pain when passing the urine and general discomfort.

=Treatment of the Acute Form.=--The treatment consists in having the person remain quietly in bed, applying bottles of hot water to the feet, if they are cold, and keeping cool cloths over the head if hot from the fever. In this way the circulation may be better balanced, and the tendency to congestion relieved.

Then take a flannel cloth about six inches square, dip it in hot water, and wring as dry as possible with the hands; now sprinkle ordinary spirits of turpentine freely over one side, and place this side directly over the centre of the lower part of the bowels, that is, just over the uterus. Cover this flannel with another warm, dry flannel, and allow it to remain on until the smarting is quite pronounced, or the skin red. Then remove this, and apply hot cloths wrung from hot water. Use the turpentine cloth again in four or six hours, if the tenderness and pain still persist.

=Only One Medicine Needed.=--Begin at once with Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, in order that the attack may be cut short. This the Compound will certainly do if taken faithfully according to directions.

After the acute attack is over, if there is any constipation, this should be relieved by Lydia E. Pinkham's Liver Pills; and if there is any discharge from the uterus, Lydia E. Pinkham's Sanative Wash should be used once or twice each day, in order to hasten recovery all that is possible.

=Chronic Inflammation.=--It is not exaggerating in the least to say that probably 75 out of every 100 women in the world have more or less chronic inflammation of the uterus.

=Causes.=--The causes of this are many, as improper dress, which constricts the waist, and presses down upon the delicate organs in the pelvis; improper attention to the health at each menstruation; over-work; anxiety; miscarriages; unskillful treatment at childbirth, etc.

=Lives of Suffering and Sorrow.=--What miserable lives women have to endure who go about from day to day with a chronic inflammation of the uterus. Each hour there is that dragging, pulling, bearing-down pain; that heavy weight; that terrible depression; and that feeling of abandoned hope. Yet hundreds of thousands, I might say millions of women have had all this suffering and sadness turned to joy and comfort, simply by taking Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

=Stories Almost Beyond Belief.=--The stories received from our friends seem almost beyond belief. The most striking of them cannot be printed because I fear my readers would think such cures were quite impossible. The letters tell as terrible stories, as frightful conditions as could possibly exist, and yet all this has quickly and promptly changed to robust health by the use of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. So often has this been reported that there is not the least room for doubt.

=I Speak Positively.=--I am not guessing in this matter; it is altogether too serious; there is too much at stake. So I urge upon you to give Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound a thorough trial, feeling positive, without the slightest question of a doubt, that you will be quickly and permanently cured.

=Leucorrhoea.=--This is also known as "the whites, or the female weakness." It is a symptom of inflammation of the uterus; and that this disease is so prevalent is again proved by this almost universal ailment among women.

It is characterized by a white discharge from the vagina which often becomes very irritating, and is especially bad just before or after menstruation. It is a symptom that should not be allowed to go untreated, for it shows that there is serious trouble which may bring about an incurable condition. Yet when properly treated, it may be quickly remedied, and all danger removed.

=Treatment.=--First of all, it is necessary to remove the inflammation that exists in the uterus itself. This is done by the persistent use of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. As I have described elsewhere, this will remove all congestion, heal the inflammation, and bring about a healthy circulation. For this I strongly recommend that Lydia E. Pinkham's Sanative Wash be also used with a syringe for local treatment.[1]

This should be used each night as a vaginal injection, according to directions, thus thoroughly cleansing the parts, and entirely relieving all irritation which these acrid secretions are sure to set up.

If this discharge has been irritating enough to cause any chafing, eruption, itching, or uncomfortable sensation of any kind about the external parts, then the Sanative Wash should be used for bathing the parts; the relief will be immediate, and the cure very prompt.

=May Be Quickly Cured.=--I speak with great positiveness here, because of vast experience and because of the universal success of this treatment. I do not believe there is a case of leucorrhoea which cannot be relieved and soon permanently cured by this treatment. There is no delay; relief comes at once. A great improvement in all the symptoms is very marked, even after the second or third day of treatment.

=Neglect Causes Ulceration.=--I would add a word of caution here to women who are afflicted in this way, as the retention of these discharges is likely to produce an irritation about the mouth of the uterus which will result in serious ulceration, and even be the means of producing the most serious and most incurable diseases.

=Ulcers on the Uterus.=--Because of the low condition of the system, thin blood, and the local inflammation in the uterus itself, ulcers may form about the mouth of the uterus. These are accompanied by more or less pain, a sense of heaviness and weight in the lower part of the bowels, and a whitish discharge similar to that of leucorrhoea only frequently streaked, or tinted, with blood. The discharge continues about the same all through the month between the days of menstruation. This condition should have the same treatment as that mentioned above for leucorrhoea, and the recovery will be equally prompt.

=Early Treatment Necessary.=--If women only understood better how easy a matter it is for these ulcerations to widen and deepen until some incurable and terrible disease results, they would be more prompt in taking treatment, especially when this is sure to be followed by a perfect cure.

When the blood is thin and poor, and when the weight is reduced, Lydia E. Pinkham's Blood Purifier should be used regularly.

The Blood Purifier, the Vegetable Compound, and the Sanative Wash, have done as great work in preventing serious disease as in curing it.

=Displacement of the Uterus Forward.=--The uterus may be displaced either forward, backward, or downward. By referring to the illustration in the first part of this book, it will be noticed that the uterus naturally tips slightly forward, so that when it is displaced forward, the condition is simply an exaggeration of its natural state.

=Causes Bladder Trouble.=--By referring to this illustration again, it is at once apparent that this tipping forward must bring about some difficulty with the bladder, and such is the case. The most marked symptom is painful and frequent passing of the urine, with a dull and heavy pain across the lower part of the bowels. Often this weight is so increased by walking that the person can be upon the feet only a short time without causing discomfort and pain.

This condition may be brought about by some unusual effort at lifting, jumping, or straining, or especially by wearing too tight clothing about the waist, tight lacing being probably the most frequent cause of all.

=The Cure.=--The general treatment here consists in taking a thorough course of treatment with Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, in order to strengthen the ligaments of the uterus which hold this organ in place. When the condition of the system is improved, the nerves strengthened, and the blood made more rich by the use of this Compound, then these ligaments partake of this general improvement, and by becoming more tense, bring the uterus back into position.

=Displacement Backwards.=--The uterus may be tipped backward, in which case it will rest against the lower bowel. The principal symptom here is pain in the lower part of the back, as if a movement of the bowels were necessary. There is great discomfort in walking, because of this sense of pressure. The pain is always increased when the bowels move, and is associated with a sense of obstruction, and painful menstruation is very common.

=The Treatment.=--Here the same treatment should be followed as mentioned for the opposite condition above. In the first place, the bowels should be kept in good condition by the use of Lydia E. Pinkham's Liver Pills, taking these in just sufficient amount to cause a free movement of the bowels daily. Then thorough and prolonged treatment with Mrs. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound will give such strength and tone to the ligaments about the uterus that they will again bring back this organ to its proper position.

=Falling of the Womb.=--The most distressing of all these displacements is that known as "prolapsus, or falling of the womb."

The most frequent cause of this condition is complete relaxation of the ligaments which naturally support this organ. When the ligaments become weak, they easily stretch, and thus allow the uterus to fall down into the vaginal canal, even nearly to the surface of the body.

=Symptoms.=--This displacement causes irritation of the bladder and lower bowel, discomfort in walking, painful menstruation, leucorrhoea, a dragging pain in the back, and most marked bearing-down pain in the lower part of the body.

=The Cure Is Certain.=--The treatment of this most distressing affection is usually followed by prompt and permanent results. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound should always be taken, because of its great power to relieve all inflammation and give strength and tone to the ligaments which hold up the uterus. Lydia E. Pinkham's Sanative Wash should be used, also, for its cleansing and strengthening properties, on the local parts. If a sitz bath-tub is in the house it may be used to great advantage in these cases. A single pail of water will be sufficient, and should be as hot as can be comfortably borne. If a tub of this kind is not at hand, then an ordinary bath-tub may be used, having in it sufficient water to come well over the hips when the person sits in it.

=The One Permanent Cure.=--By taking Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, these relaxed ligaments are given strength and tone so that they assume their former power. As they gain strength they contract, pulling the uterus up into its natural position, and holding it there permanently.

I can most positively assure every woman who is suffering from all the discomfort and terrible distress which always accompany falling of the womb, that she may be promptly and most perfectly cured if she will only follow my advice.

=An Abundance of Proof.=--So many letters have come from women who have suffered and have been cured that it is not possible for a reasonable person to doubt what they say. I can only urge all affected with these complaints to give Lydia F. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound a good trial, feeling perfectly assured that they will be abundantly satisfied in every way. If you do not understand your ailments write to Mrs. Pinkham, Lynn, Mass. Her advice is free and always helpful. Such letters are strictly confidential communications from one woman to another who will never betray the confidence.

Footnote: [1] Every woman suffering from uterine or vaginal troubles should own and use a syringe. I would recommend the use of Ruth Paxton's Improved Fountain Syringe. I believe it is the only one that will convey the solution to every part of the vaginal cavity. The ordinary syringe is inadequate. It can be obtained by sending to The R. Paxton Company, 221 Columbus Ave., Boston, Mass. Price $1.75, postpaid--registered letter or postal note. It will repay you a thousand times to take the trouble to send for it, as the recoveries from disease are quicker when it is used. Anyway, send two-cent stamp for her little book of information. You will see by the letters it contains how the syringe is regarded by those who are using it.