Treatment.—­Inhalation of chloroform to control the convulsion.  Morphine in one-half grain dose can be given if no chloroform is handy.  Place the patient in a hot water or vapor bath, or wrap blankets wrung out of hot water around her, and pile the bedding on until a profuse sweat is started.  The sweating aids in eliminating the poison.  Change the hot wet blankets as often as necessary.  If the convulsions do not cease the womb must be emptied of its contents.  If the convulsions occur during labor they should be treated in the same manner.  The mortality then is about seven per cent.  Chloral hydrate in thirty to sixty grain doses in three ounces of water may be injected into the rectum if the other remedies fail.

Milk leg.—­This is due to infection.  It usually arises from an extension of a blood clot (thrombosis) of the womb or pelvic veins, to the thigh (femoral) vein, resulting in a partial or complete obstruction of the vein.  It may come in less frequent cases, from a lymphatic infection.

Symptoms.—­They may develop at any time between the tenth and thirtieth days or even later.  These are general feelings of weariness, stiffness and soreness of the leg, especially when it is moved.  There may first be pain in the region of the groin; or pain from the ankle to the groin and followed by swelling.  The skin of the leg becomes markedly swollen, white and shiny.  Later there is pitting on pressure, but not at first, because the skin is extremely stretched.  Fever may accompany the attack, but it will subside long before the swelling of the leg has disappeared.

The vein may be felt as a hard lash-like cord, a red line of inflammation marking its course along the inner and under side of the thigh.  The disease may last weeks, depending upon the severity of the trouble.  The affected leg is disabled for a number of months after recovery.  Recovery takes place as a rule.  Absorption of the clot takes place, or the vessel remains closed, and another (compensatory) circulation is established.

[Obstetrics or midwifery 543]

Treatment.—­The patient should lie in bed with the leg elevated and swathed in flannel or cotton wet with some quieting lotion.  The following is a good lotion:—­

Compound Soap Liniment       6 ounces
Laudanum                 1-1/2 ounces
Tincture Aconite Root      1/2 ounce
Tincture Belladonna        1/2 ounce

Wet the flannel or cotton with this.  After the acute symptoms have passed the following ointment may be put on the leg:—­

Ichthyol               45 grains
Iodide of Lead         45 grains
Chloride of Ammonium   10 grains
Alboline                1 ounce

The parts should not be rubbed lest a clot be loosened and travel in the general circulation and thus endanger life.

Diet.—­Should be supporting.  Salts for the bowels.

[544 Mothers’ remedies]