c it is often
preceded by shivering and febrile symptoms and by a feeling of weight
in the lower bowels. In the weak there is languor, faintness,
flaccidity of the breasts, general depression, and pains in the back
and loins. Intermittent pains, and discharge of blood from the
passage, tell that the process has begun. If miscarriage occurs within
the first month or two after conception, the process may be
accomplished with so little inconvenience as to escape notice and be
mistaken for a menstrual period. More generally, however, the severity
of the pain and an unusual clotted discharge of blood render the case
evident. The pain, the discharge, and, at the same time, the danger of
an abortion, are in proportion to the advancement of the pregnancy.
When a miscarriage goes on, the pains increase in force and frequency,
and continue, with discharge of blood, fluid or in clots, until the
ovum, or first formation of the child, is expelled; after which both
become moderated till they cease altogether and the red flow gives
place to a colorless one. It is very important that those in
attendance upon the patient should examine every clot that comes away.
If large, tear it in pieces, that they may ascertain whether the
contents of the womb are expelled or not, for there is no safety or
rest, where miscarriage is progressing, till it has taken place and
everything is cast off.

AS SOON AS A FEMALE

experiences threatenings of abortion she ought at once to retire to
bed, upon a mattress, and keep perfectly quiet till every symptom has
disappeared. Sometimes this simple measure, _promptly adopted_, is
sufficient to avert the threatened evil. If there is much feeling of
fullness, and the patient is of full habit generally, eight or a dozen
leeches may be applied to the lower part of the bowels; if there is
fever, saline medicines may be given, such as the common effervescing
draft of carbonate of soda and tartaric acid or lemon juice; or, if
the bowels are much confined, seidlitz powders, assisting the action
by cold clysters, if necessary. When the pains are severe,
particularly in the weak and irritable, twenty or thirty drops of
laudanum should be given, and may be repeated in a few hours if the
symptoms are not improved. In the case of profuse discharge, the
patient should be kept very lightly covered, movement avoided, and
every article of food or drink given cold, or iced if possible,
provided th