oetal envelopes, after the death of the foetus (a _maternal or
true mole_); or being some other body liable to be mistaken for this, or
perhaps a polypus or false mole." (_Whitney's Century Dictionary_.)

* * * * *

CHAPTER X

_Of Dropsy of the Womb._

Uterine dropsy is an unnatural swelling, caused by the collection of
wind or phlegm in the cavity, membranes or substance of the womb, on
account of the want of innate heat and of sufficient alimentation, and
so it turns into an excrescence. The causes are, too much cold and
moisture of the milt and liver, immoderate drinking, eating
insufficiently cooked meat, all of which by causing repletion, overpower
the natural heat. It may likewise be caused by undue menstruation, or by
any other immoderate evacuation. To these may be added abortions,
subcutaneous inflammations and a hardened swelling of the womb.

SIGNS.

The signs of this affection are as follows:--The lower parts of the
stomach, with the genitals, are swollen and painful; the feet swell, the
natural colour of the face is lost, the appetite becomes depraved, and
there is a consequent heaviness of the whole body. If the woman turns
over in bed a noise like flowing water is heard, and sometimes water is
discharged from the womb. If the swelling is caused by wind and the
stomach feels hot, it sounds like a drum; the bowels rumble, and the
wind escapes through the neck of the womb with a murmuring noise. This
affection may be distinguished from true conception in many ways, as
will be shown in the chapter on _conception_. It is distinguished from
common dropsy, by the lower parts of the stomach being most swollen.
Again, it does not appear so injurious in this blood-producing
capability, nor is the urine so pale, nor the face so altered. The upper
parts are also not so reduced, as in usual dropsy.

PROGNOSTICS.

This affection foretells the ruin of the natural functions, by that
peculiar sympathy it has with the liver, and that, therefore,
_kathydria_, or general dropsy will follow.

CURE.

In the cure of this disease, imitate the practice of Hippocrates, and
first mitigate the pain with fomentations of melilot, dog's mercury,
mallows, linseed, camomiles and althoea. Then let the womb be prepared
with syrup of stoebis, hyssop, calamint, mugwort, with distilled water,
a decoction of elder, marjoram, sage, origan, spearage, pennyroyal, and
betony. Pur