DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN 613 



rubbing and drying each portion bathed before pro- 

 ceeding to another part. The cold towel rub or wet- 

 sheet rub are also to be recommended. After a bath, 

 the patient should be rubbed with oil, and should 

 take exercise out-of-doors. Walking, horseback-rid- 

 ing, or bicycle-riding are excellent exercises for these 

 cases. 



Lacerations at Childbirth.— The most common of 

 all injuries received at childbirth are tears or lacera- 

 tions of the neck of the womb or the perineum. Thou- 

 sands of women are suffering from the results of 

 injuries of this sort, without being aware of their con- 

 dition. Tears of the womb are often mistakenly treated 

 as ''ulcerations." The only way in which a radical 

 cure can be effected is by a proper surgical operation, 

 which in the hands of a skilful surgeon is attended by 

 little pain, and is radically curative in its effects. 

 Slight lacerations do not require an operation; but 

 where a tear exists of sufficient extent to give rise to 

 constant irritation, the latter cannot be permanently 

 removed hj other means than an operation. This re- 

 mark applies to injuries of the womb. In tears of the 

 perineum, whether an operation is required or not, 

 depends upon the condition of the vagina and the parts. 

 If greatly relaxed, so that a rectocele exists, with pro- 

 lapsus of the womb or ovaries, or both, an operation 

 is likely to be beneficial. 



We ought not to leave this subject without remark- 

 ing that quite a large proportion of patients who are 

 supposed to be suffering from laceration requiring re- 

 pair by a surgical operation, are not really suffering 

 from laceration, but from other difficulties existing in 

 connection with it. Prolapse of the stomach and bowels, 

 a floating or movable kidney, or some kindred disorder, 



