A Treatise on the Eclectic Southern Practice of Medicine Page: 378 of 724
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RETENTION OF URINE.
A complication of ascites (dropsy of abdomen) might
cause you some embarrassment; but the peculiar pain
produced by pressure on the distended bladder, or, if
this fail, the introduction of a finger into the rectum, or
a catheter into the bladder, will soon decide the question.
Dr. Wood says, there is two conditions of retention,
which materially differ in their symptoms; one in which
the affection is suddenly induced, the other, in which it
comes on gradually. In the former, there is usually
much pain in the hypogastrium (the lower part of the
abdomen) and perineum, (the space between the anus
and genital organs,) with a constant and distressing
desire to pass water, but ineffectual notwithstanding the
strongest efforts. The pain is much increased by pres-
sure over the pubis. If the affection continues, the
patient becomes feverish, restless, anxious and exceed-
ingly distressed, until at length a portion of the bladder
gives way, and the urine, lie thinks, more frequently
escapes into the neighboring cellular tissue, than into
the peritoneum, producing inflammation, sloughing, and
generally death.
When all voluntary power of evacuation seems to be
suspended or lost, it is generally the result of an over-
extended bladder, and the very act of distention has the
effect of debilitating the muscular coat, and, in the end,
if continued, of entirely destroying its contractile power.
Hence, the habit of resisting the desire to evacuate
urine, may, if long enough continued, gradually induce
retention.
Treatment.--When the retention, or, if I may use the
term, the mere stoppage of water, is entirely complete,
it will occasion serious inconvenience, and accompanied
with some danger; in such cases, you should imme-378
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Massie, J. Cam. A Treatise on the Eclectic Southern Practice of Medicine, book, 1854; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth143817/m1/378/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas Health Science Center Libraries.