SALPINGITIS. Inflammation of the Fallopian Tubes
Categories:
Diseases of Women
It may be either acute
or chronic in character.
Condition. The tissues of the tubes become swollen when the inflammation
runs into the pus stage; the finger-shaped end (outer end) is usually
closed by adhesions, the pus accumulates in the tube and we have pus in
the tube, or what is technically called [pyo. (pus) Salpinx (tube)]
Pyosalpinx. In long standing cases the pus is absorbed or degenerates into
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a thin watery fluid, forming watery fluid in the tube or [hydro (water)
Salpinx (tube)]--hydrosalpinx.
The tube may become attached to neighboring organs. The pus or fluid may
drain occasionally into the womb and vagina. It may go into the bladder or
bowels.
Causes. It is usually caused by invading germs from the womb. Gonorrhea
is the cause of the most cases.
Symptom. This disease follows the same kind of an infection in the womb
and vagina; the patient complains of pain in the region of the tube, a
little to the side or sides of the womb, and the pain is made worse by
motion, exercise or long standing. If it is the acute variety, the
temperature rises, the pulse grows faster, and sometimes there is nausea
and vomiting.
The Symptoms of the Chronic Variety are due to congestion and adhesions.
There is a constant pain in the region of the tube and the patient
protects herself when she walks, rides or sits down. There are difficult,
painful monthly periods and too much flow. The history shows gonorrhea or
septic infection, that is, disease caused by the absorption of products of
putrefaction.
Treatment of the Acute Kind. First thing is absolute rest and quiet in
bed. Then prolonged hot injections in the vagina of hot water, and if you
wish, one teaspoonful of listerine, etc., in each injection. Put a
hot-water bag to the sore side, or fomentations of different remedies,
like hops, catnip, pennyroyal, smart-weed. The applications should not be
of great weight. The bowels should be kept open.
For Chronic Variety. This frequently calls for an operation. When the
symptoms are due to inflammation in the tube alone, ten per cent strength
of ichthyol and glycerin tampons placed behind the lower part of the womb
three times a week do much to improve the condition.
This is an unfortunate disease, and it must be closely watched for
symptoms that may arise from a pus condition. There are many cases of this
kind in our public hospitals, and when they are due to gonorrhea they may
have been caused by the husband who had an acute or latent gonorrhea--an
attack he thought cured.
DISEASES OF THE OVARY.