This disease is marked by the discharge of a thin white or yellow matter from the womb and passage thereto, attended likewise with some degree of foetor, smarting in making water, pains in the back and loins, loss of appetite, and atrophy. It is frequently a very troublesome and obstinate complaint, particularly in women of a delicate constitution. In some cases the discharge is of so acrid a nature as to produce effects on those who are connected with the woman somewhat similar to venereal matter.

To distinguish leucorrhoea from gonorrhoea, it will be necessary to attend to the symptoms. In the latter the running is constant, but in a small quantity: there is much heat and some pain in making water, itching and swelling of the parts of generation, increased inclination to venery, and very frequently an enlargement of the glands in the groin; whereas in leucorrhoea the discharge is irregular, comes away often in large lumps, and in considerable quantities, and is neither preceded by, nor accompanied with any inflammatory affection of the privates.

Immoderate coition, injury done to the parts by difficult and tedious labours, frequent miscarriages, immoderate menstruation, profuse evacuation, poor diet, an inactive and sedentary life, and other causes giving rise to general debility, or to a relaxed state of the parts more immediately concerned, are those which usually produce the Whites. Sometimes the complaint is a symptom of disease of the womb. Delicate women, who remove from a cold climate to a warm one, are very apt to be attacked with it.

The disease shows itself by an irregular discharge of a fluid, which in different women varies much in colour, being of a white, green, yellow, or brown hue. In the beginning, however, it is most usually white and transparent, and in the progress of the complaint acquires various discolorations and different degrees of acrimony; with a slight smarting in making water. Besides the discharge, the patient is frequently afflicted with severe and constant pains in the back and loins, loss of strength, failure of appetite, pain in the stomach, dejection of spirits, paleness of the countenance, chilliness and languor.

The sleep is disturbed by unpleasant dreams, and affords but little refreshment. The woman becomes pale and emaciated. In time the feet and ankles swell; palpitations and difficulty of breathing are experienced; very frequently the functions of generation suffer, and barrenness is the consequence. Hysteria also, in a greater or less degree, frequently accompanies Leucorrhoea; the menstrual discharge is sometimes scanty or even suppressed; at other times, it is too abundant, irregular, or attended with much pain.

The disease, if not promptly treated, soon begins to show its effects on the constitution. Every symptom becomes aggravated, the eyelids and face swell; become bloated and disfigured; the body is wasted and debiltated; hectic fever and dropsy frequently follow, and death is the ultimate result.

Treatment

The patient may take the following:

Extract of Catechu..............................Two Drams.

Tannic Acid.......................................Two Scruples.

Compound Tincture of Cardamoms......One Ounce.

Syrup..............................................Half an Ounce.

Water, sufficient to make....................Half a Pint.

A tablespoonful to be taken three times a day. At the same time two of the following Pills may be taken every night, at bedtime.

Socotrine Aloes...............................Half a Dram.

Powdered Gum Myrrh.....................One Dram.

Oil of Cinnamon............................Ten Drops.

Mix and divide into twenty-four pills.

After taking the above mixture for a week, the patient may change it for the following:

Balsam of Copaiba............................Half an Ounce.

Compound Tincture of Benzoin............Half an Ounce-

Powdered Gum Arabic....................Half an Ounce.

Syrup..........................................One Ounce.

Water, sufficient to make................Half a Pint.

Mix, and take a tablespoonful three times a day. In making this mixture, the Balsam, Tincture, Gum Arabic and Syrup, must be first well mixed together, and then the water added by degrees.

If there is much debility, the patient may take the following tonic, at the same time:

Citrate of Iron and Quinine...................80 Grains.

Tincture of Orange Peel.......................One Ounce.

Syrup................................................Half an Ounce.

Water, sufficient to make......................Haifa Pint.

A tablespoonful three times a day.

While taking these medicines internally, it will be necessary to use astringent injections by means of a female syringe. These should be used just warm enough to feel comfortable, and may be injected three or four times a day. The following may be tried:

A strong infusion of Green Tea; or, A decoction of Oak or Hemlock Bark; made by boiling two ounces of the Bark in two quarts of water, down to one quart.

Or,-Tannic Acid.................................Two Drams.

Water..........................................Two Quarts.

Or,- Alum..........................................One Dram.

Water..........................................A Pint and a half.

If there should be any sores about the parts, they may be washed two or three times a day, with the following lotion, commonly called Black Wash; or a piece of cotton batting or lint, dipped in the wash, may be placed between the parts, and kept there, by means of a bandage, during the intervals between using the injection.

Calomel.............................................One Dram.

Lime Water.......................................Six Ounces.

This must be shaken up when used.

The pains in the back and loins may be relieved by applying a large Burgundy Pitch Plaister, or one of those common Pitch Plaisters called Poor Man's Plaister.

Women afflicted with this complaint should always wear flannel,and should put the feet in hot water frequently. They should avoid tea and other warm slops, and should live principally on. mutton, poultry, eggs, fish, light puddings, rice, sago, jellies, beef tea, etc.; and should take two or three glasses of good Port Wine daily, if they can get it. They should avoid too much indulgence in sensual gratification; should sleep on a mattress in preference to a feather bed; should take gentle exercise, but avoid much walking, dancing, or other violent exertion.