456 Diseases of the Genital Organs 



cervicitis furnish a permanent center for the infection, /but 

 the swelling of the annular folds of the cervix compresses 

 the cervical canal and interferes v^^ith the proper drainage of 

 the; uterine cavity, so that infected secretions are held back. 

 Therefore one should dilate the cervicaKcanal in order to 

 bring about improvement of the cervix itself through the 

 application of antiseptics, to establish a practical path 

 through vi^hich one can reach the uterus to disinfect it,_ and, 

 more important still, to obtain a freer opening for the es- 

 cape of the infection from the uterine cavity. 



The dilation of the cervical canal is sometimes exceed- 

 ingly difficult in these animals. In some cases I have found 

 it necessary to make repeated attempts with the uterine 

 dilators before succeeding in passing through the cervical, 

 canal. One must, therefore, have great patience and per- 

 severe in the work until the object is attained. Once the 

 dilator has passed through the cervical canal, it can be 

 gradually dilated by opening the instrument. One should 

 not attempt to dilate the canal completely by a single open- 

 ing of the dilator, but should open it for a time, then close 

 it, revolve it a short distance upon its long axis, and open 

 it again. This process should be kept up until pressure has 

 been brought to bear upon every part. While the jaws of 

 the dilator are forced apart, the instrument should be care- 

 fully withdrawn by exerting moderate traction so that the 

 dilation is extended throughout the length of the canal. 

 When the dilation has been satisfactorily completed, the 

 uterus may be douched and the re-floW should be examined 

 carefully for the presence of muco-pus or other evidence of 

 disease. The uterine cavity should then be disinfected, for 

 which purpose 2 per cent. Lugol's solution or y^ per cent, 

 chlorazene solution may be used. These must be carefully 

 drained off from the uterus. 



Probably a better plan for disinfecting consists^ of plac- 

 ing in the uterus a heavy, virtually insoluble disinfectant, 

 such as iodoform and bismuth. I have had apparently good 

 results from a heavy suspension of iodoform and bismuth 

 subnitrate in white mineral oil, injected (one or two ounces) 



