PUTRID ENDOMETRITIS

Categories: Diseases of Women

An inflammation of the inner lining of the womb
caused by putrid (rotten), decaying material.



Symptoms. A chill is sometimes present at the beginning. The fever is

high, pulse bounds and feels hard and strong, the face is flushed but

there is little or no pain. The discharge from the womb, unless it is

blocked by a clot, is foul smelling. The flow after childbirth is scanty,

sometimes suppressed. The womb and ov ries are not very tender.



Treatment. The first thing to do, of course, is to get the dead material,

such as parts of an after-birth, clots, shreds, etc., out of the womb, and

then scrape the rough surfaces. This must be done carefully and with

perfectly clean tools and liquids of every kind. Then wash the womb

thoroughly with the hot salt solution. One teaspoonful of salt to one pint

of boiled water. After this pack the womb with ten per cent iodoform

gauze, which may be bought in this strength. Remove this from the womb

about the third to the ninth day. The bowels should be kept open.



Diet. Should be of milk or at least of liquids only. The patient can be

given whisky or brandy and 1/60 grain of strychnine every four hours if

needed.