INFLAMMATION OF THE VAGINA, (Vaginitis)

Categories: Diseases of Women

Vaginitis is an inflammation of
the mucous membrane of the vagina.



Varieties. l. Catarrhal or simple 2. granular; 3. gonorrheal; 4.

diphtheritic, and 5. senile.



1. Catarrhal or simple form. This is the most usual form. There is a

general redness of the membrane with swelling and increased secretion.



2. Granular. This is an advanced stage of the simple type, and is due to

ong continued or repeated attacks.



3. Gonorrheal form. Is due to infection by the gonococcus of Neisser (due

to gonorrhea). This form is hardest to cure and may continue for years or

life, The infection may extend to the womb, fallopian tubes and peritoneal

cavity and produce inflammation of the womb (endometritis) pus in the

tubes, (pyosalpinx) and peritoneal cavity. This is more common than even

some physicians realize.






4. Diphtheritic--Due to diphtheria, not frequent.



5. Senile type. This comes only after the change of life.



Symptoms. There is pain in the lower abdomen. Passing of urine is

frequent and is attended with smarting and burning pain. There is a

feeling of heat and burning in the vagina, and a copious discharge of

mucus and pus. In the gonorrheal variety the urinary disturbances are most

marked.



In gonorrheal variety the symptoms date from a distinct onset, last

longer, do not yield so rapidly to treatment, and complications, such as

enlarged glands in the groin and in the vulva and vagina, inflammation of

the lining of the womb and fallopian tubes, inflammation of the bladder,

often make their appearance early.



Treatment (in acute cases). Rest in bed and prolonged vaginal injections

of a solution of corrosive sublimate (1 to 4000 strength) three times a

day. If the gonorrheal poison is present in the pus, the walls of the

vagina, cervix and cervical canal should be dried and thoroughly painted

with a twenty per cent solution of nitrate of silver. The patient should

be in the knee-chest position for this treatment.



In chronic cases the gonorrhea poison (gonococcus) is found most

frequently just behind the posterior lip of the cervix and here the silver

solution should be applied very thoroughly.