Cervicitis 



623 



trust to this. I find it best as a rule in the mild and moder- 

 ately severe cases to swab the cervical canal throughout its 

 length with full strength Lugol's solution. For this purpose 

 I use the uterine dressing forceps. (Fig. 39, 3.) With these 

 I secure as large a piece of absorbent cotton or gauze as can 

 readily be pushed through the canal, saturate it with the so- 

 lution, and pass it through the length of the canal, revolving 

 the swab to and fro in an effort to touch every part of the 

 mucosa. Where the cervical mucosa is badly denuded, the 

 application causes necrosis of the superficial layers of epi- 

 thelium and arouses a marked reaction in the tissues. When 



Fig. 197 — Cervical Abscess. 

 /, Cervix ; .?, abscesses ; j, hydrosalpinx. 



the thin pellicle of dead cells is thrown off, a rapidly-healing 

 surface remains. A second application may be made in 

 three weeks if it appears desirable. If the case is not too 

 severe, the swabbing commonly gives satisfactory results. 

 In some instances the cervicitis will respond better to the 

 application of a 10 to 20 per cent, silver nitrate solution. 



When discussing the instrumental examination of the 

 cervical canal on page 99, warning was given that the ex- 

 aminer should proceed with great caution in passing instru- 

 ments through it. This becomes of special importance where 

 the cervical canal is seriously infected. The cervicitis, often 

 rendering the passing of a sound or catheter exceedingly 

 difficult, invites accident and the infection present, which is 



