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OF DISEASES OF VIRGINS. - Hippocrates, The Writings of Hippocrates and Galen [1846]

Edition used:

The Writings of Hippocrates and Galen. Epitomised from the Original Latin translations, by John Redman Coxe (Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1846).

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OF DISEASES OF VIRGINS.

DE HIS QUÆ AD VIRGINES SPECTANT,FŒSIUS, Treat. iv. p. 462.
DE VIRGINUM MORBIS,HALLER, iii. p. 409.
DES AFFECTIONS DES FILLES,GARDEIL, iv. p. 5.

This treatise, says Haller, is a short one. It ascribes menstruation to plethora, which is to be treated by venesection, or by coition. This book is quoted by the author of the books on female diseases, and he would seem to be the author of this also.

After contending for the difficulty of knowing the nature of diseases, without certain preliminary attainments, and mentioning several, as epilepsy, apoplexy, &c., and their not unfrequent ascription to demons, the author proceeds to state the sufferings of females approximating to maturity, and who had not previously been affected, as arising from the arrestation of the menstrual flow. The symptoms attending this state of things are detailed, and the hysteric feelings thence arising, together with the inadequate and deceptive recommendations of the priests. It is added, that venesection is to be employed, if not contra-indicated, and that marriage as early as possible is to be adopted, for if pregnancy ensues, health follows. Barren women are most afflicted with these complaints.

Gardeil thinks it probable, that what we possess of this short treatise, is merely a fragment, for the author of the treatise on female complaints quotes this, as having therein already mentioned things, which we do not here find. The doctrine of this treatise, and of those of the nature of woman, and of the diseases of women, he adds, is found abridged in the Predictions, and in the treatise, “Des Lieux dans l’Homme.”

I. General remarks on the difficulty of knowing diseases, especially of some that are more peculiar to women than men.

II. An explanation of the derangements of health which females experience at the age of puberty; hysteria, melancholia, mania, &c.; the cure consists principally in sexual intercourse.