At certain periods after the
cessation of menstruation, she had incontinence of urine, and had
also repeatedly vomited. The urine was of high specific gravity,
albuminous, alkaline, and exhaled a disagreeable odor. In spite
of the signs of pregnancy already noted, palpitation and
percussion did not show any augmentation in the size of the
uterus, but the introduction of a catheter into the bladder
showed the existence of a large calculus. Under chloroform the
calculus and its nucleus were disengaged, and proved to be the
handle of a tooth-brush, the exact size of which is represented
in the accompanying illustration. The handle was covered with
calcareous deposits, and was tightly fixed in the bladder. At
first the young woman would give no explanation for its presence,
but afterward explained that she had several times used this
instrument for relief in retention of urine, and one day it had
fallen into the bladder. A short time after the operation
menstruation returned for the first time in seven months, and was
afterward normal. Bigelow reports the case of a woman who
habitually introduced hair-pins and common pins into her bladder.
She acquired this mania after an attempt at dilatation of the
urethra in the relief of an obstinate case of strangury.
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