600 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



tion, by means of which the organ is supported in a 

 natural position. 



In most of these cases, as well as in other forms of 

 displacement, the patient has usually worn pessaries 

 of some sort for years, with the effect of ultimately 

 increasing the gravity of the condition, and greatly 

 adding to the difficulty of effecting a cure. The most 

 common causes of falling of the womb are the wearing 

 of heavy skirts suspended from the waist, dancing, 

 taking cold at the menstrual period, self-abuse, lifting 

 heavy weights, improper management at childbirth, 

 tear in the neck of the womb or perineum, and, in fact, 

 local disease of any sort. Prolapsus is almost always 

 attended by enlargement of the womb. Even the worst 

 cases of this disease are curable by proper manage- 

 ment, though many women suffering from this trouble 

 endure the tortures of irrational treatment at the hands 

 of inexperienced and incompetent physicians, from the 

 effects of which they may suffer for many years. 



Other Forms of Displacement. — Anteversion, 

 anteflexion, retroversion, retroflexion, and the various 

 other forms of displacement, are due to very much the 

 same causes as those which give rise to prolapsus, and 

 the symptoms are also very much the same. Backward 

 displacements give rise to greater and more constant 

 pain in the back ; while forward displacements produce 

 greater pain in the lower part of the body in front, 

 disturbed action of the bladder, and hence too fre- 

 quent and painful urination, etc. Remarks made re- 

 garding the treatment of prolapsus apply with equal 

 force to these other forms of displacement. 



Treatment.— The most common form of uterine dis- 

 placement requiring the attention of the physician is 

 retroversion or retroflexion. This condition is rarely 



