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This term was originally applied to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal and respiratory passages and known as a cold; it is now extended to the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, stomach, intestines, appendix, colon, bladder, uterus, urethra and vagina. A mucous membrane is a thin tissue which lines the canals, cavities and the inside of hollow organs which communicate externally by different appertures. It is the inside cutaneous tissue, similar as is the outside skin; it has certain functions to perform, and subject to diseases as is the outside cuticle. Mucous membranes secrete a mucus, viscid, gummy secretion, analogous to vegetable mucilage. It is albuminous, like the white of an egg. The mucus preserves the membranes and keeps them moist, a condition suitable for the performance of their functions. The mucus coating on the mucous membrane of the stomach prvents the stomach from self-digestion. Mucus is secreted and exuded through the membrane, a process known as osmoses, or dyalisis; it is exuded, not circulated. Mucous membranes are well supplied with arteries, veins, lymphatics and nerves. In the acute stage of inflammation, the mucous membrane is at first dry and swollen. The catarrhal discharge is purulent, tenacious, thick and ropy or stringy. It is at first frothy, then spots of gummy pus. In color it is at first white, then yellow and finally green. In recovery, under adjustment, the discharge will become thinner and more plentiful for a time as it returns to its natural consistency. Pathologists define catarrh as an inflammation of a mucous membrane. The thickening mucus is a result of a membrane being inflamed. Catarrh may be acute or chronic. Catarrh of the nasal mucous membrane is known as rhinitis. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes results in bronchitis or pulmonary catarrh. Hay fever is the result of the mucous membrane of the eyes and air passages being inflamed. Asthma, sufficative catarrh, is the congestive swelling of the bronchial mucous membranes which narrows the lumen of the bronchial tubes. Cystitis, inflammation of the bladder. Gastritis, inflammation of the stomach. Inflammation of the eustacian tube, catarrh of the ear, otitis. Endocolitis, inflammation of the mucus membrane of the colon. Enteritis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestines. Cervicitis, inflammation of the lining membrane of the neck of the uterus. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterus is known as metritis. Epidemic catarrh, influenza, grip, is from a condition of the atmostphere. Endoappendicitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the appendix. Gonorrhea is venereal catarrh, inflammation of the urethral mucous membrane. Menstruation is a periodic discharge of mucus from the surface of the mucous membrane of the uterus, together with an excretion of blood from the vascular vessels of the mucous membrane of the uterus. It is often accompanied by local and systemic changes. The hyperemic condition of the uterine blood vessels is owing to increased temperature. The finer blood vessels of the uterine mucosa rupture, allowing the blood to escape. During the menstrual flow and the time in which physiological menstruation gradually ceases, the nervous system is excited, a physiological rise of temperature is experienced. Many diseases, or ailments, which are usually very slight, are greatly increased during the menstrual discharge and aggravated at the time of the change of life. As to the why, pathologists offer no explanation. During some diseases, such as typhoid or typhus fever, the menses disappear. Some poisons excite the nervous system, while others depress, diminish vital energy, lower nervous functional activity, causing muscular relaxation. Catamenia is the name of a condition, the periodic menstrual discharge of mucus and blood from the uterus. The menses is the recurrent monthly excretion of mucus and blood during sexual life from the genital canal of the female. The amount of mucus and blood leakage depends upon the degree of inflammation. Menstruation is an organic function controlled by an intelligence, and not of the mind or mental. This period action responds to the solar or lunar month of 28 days, not the man-made calendar month of 30 days. It is said that most women menstruate during the first quarter of the moon and only a few at the time of the new or full moon. The menopause, the grand climacteric, is the change or turn of life, the natural cessation of menstruation. Puberty and the menopause denote climacteric periods, during which the physical, mental, and moral nature of the female is taxed more than ordinarily. All affeetions are intensified; some diseases are manifest at these periods which before or after were latent, or at least apparent only in a mild form. The cause lies not in the disturbance of the blood, it is not a process of purification, nor is it for the purpose of removing an excess of nutriment from the body. It is the physical condition resultant from increased nerve tension. Menstruation is a function, the performance of which, normal or abnormal, depends upon the condition of the nervous system; its cessation is as natural as its appearance. Many ailments, not of the generative organs, are intensified at the climacteric periods. They are no more dependent upon the condition of the uterus than dysmenorrhea, hysteria, chlorosis or hysteralgia. At these periods the nervous system becomes more tense, thereby intensifying conditions known as disease. The uterine mucosa (the mucous membrane) is inflamed and swollen at each monthly period. This is the actual source of the hemorrhage known as menses. Preceding the hemorrhage and immediately after, there is a mucoid excretion, which at other times would be known as catarrhal discharge. Chronic inflammation of the uterine mucosa may result in a discharge of portions of the mucous membrane, the resultant of excessive heat, necrosis. The theory of some physiologists is that the inflammation of the uterine mucosa is for the purpose of creating a raw surface upon which the ovum may be readily grafted, aiding it in becoming attached to the maternal organism as a parasite upon its host. Greater nerve tension creates an increase in functional activity. The philosophy of this phenomena is readily comprehended when we take into consideration the extreme sensitiveness of the female during these climacteric periods. The senses of smell, taste, sight and hearing are more acute than ordinary. These conditions abnormally expressed, are by no means resultant from the change, but because of greater nerve tension. Any disease arising at puberty or the menopause should be adjusted for, just the same as though appearing at any other time. Vicarious menstruation is the menstrual flow from some part or organ other than the vagina. The above knowledge and philosophy accounts for what is known as compensatory menstruation. Vicarious, compensatory, a substitute, taking the place of another, the assuming of a function belonging to another organ. V. respiration, an increased respiratory action in one lung to make up for the diminished action of the other. V. secretion and excretion may be increased in one part of the body instead of the usual function in another. V. diarrhea, an increased discharge of watery stool due to inaction of the kidneys, known as compensatory diarrhea. V. menstruation, a periodical bloody discharge from the stomach, nose, breasts, rectum, the pores of the skin or other parts of the body, occurring at the time of, and taking the place of, in part or whole of the menses. Blood-sweating, a bloody discharge from the pores of the skin is considered vicarious when present in absent menstruation. It is an effect from a nervous disorder. Blood corpuscles have been found in the escaping drops of red sweat. Yellow fever at times is attended with bloody sweats. Biliary pigment has been found in the sweat of jaundiced persons. You will find a brief description of, and where to adjust for, the above diseases in the Adjuster. I prefer to give you some ideas of value not found in the Science, Art and Philosophy of Chiropractic. These lectures are intended as an appendix to the Adjuster, not a Mail Course, not a Correspondence Course, nor a Post Graduate Course. |