Abortion
An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. It can be done two different ways:
- Medication abortion, which uses medicines to end the pregnancy. It is sometimes called a "medical abortion" or "abortion with pills."
- Procedural abortion, a procedure to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. It is sometimes called a "surgical abortion."
If you are thinking of having an abortion, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can explain how the procedures are done, as well as the risks and benefits of each.
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Abortion
ABORTION
Habitual abortion may be due to syphilis, to endo-metritis or uterine displacement. to undue sexual excitement or to anemia or other form of malnutrition. Prevention of the accident in such cases depends upon recognizing and removing the cause. The patient must be given the benefit of the best hygienic conditions; avoid irri tant cathartics, regulating the bowels with compound liquorice powder or cascara sagrada; prescribe Uterotonic, N., B. & Co. or other Uterine Sedative; avoid large doses of quinine. - If abortion seems imminent, keep the patient at rest and give an opiate (morphine hypodermatically or opium extract by injection or suppository). If these measures fail, an aseptic tampon must be introduced and fluid extract of ergot must be given, the after treatment consisting of antiseptic irrigation of the vagina and if necessary of the uterus. absolute rest and small doses of ergot and quinine. Ergot must al ways be used with proper caution, and only a physiologically stand ardized preparation should be employed.1
Habitual abortion may be due to syphilis, to endo-metritis or uterine displacement. to undue sexual excitement or to anemia or other form of malnutrition. Prevention of the accident in such cases depends upon recognizing and removing the cause. The patient must be given the benefit of the best hygienic conditions; avoid irri tant cathartics, regulating the bowels with compound liquorice powder or cascara sagrada; prescribe Uterotonic, N., B. & Co. or other Uterine Sedative; avoid large doses of quinine. - If abortion seems imminent, keep the patient at rest and give an opiate (morphine hypodermatically or opium extract by injection or suppository). If these measures fail, an aseptic tampon must be introduced and fluid extract of ergot must be given, the after treatment consisting of antiseptic irrigation of the vagina and if necessary of the uterus. absolute rest and small doses of ergot and quinine. Ergot must al ways be used with proper caution, and only a physiologically stand ardized preparation should be employed.1
References
1) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.