The gauze should be removed gradually, beginning on the third day and ending on the ninth day.

In this disease the interior of the womb is smooth and contains no broken down or foreign tissue.  In the next disease, Putrid Endometritis, it is far different, for this is caused by the presence of dead material, such as parts of the after-birth, left in after labor, or sloughing tumors.  This material becomes putrid (rotten), and thus causes the disease called “Putrid Endometritis.”

[500 Mothers’ remedies]

Putrid endometritis.—­An inflammation of the inner lining of the womb caused by putrid (rotten), decaying material.

Symptoms.—­A chill is sometimes present at the beginning.  The fever is high, pulse bounds and feels hard and strong, the face is flushed but there is little or no pain.  The discharge from the womb, unless it is blocked by a clot, is foul smelling.  The flow after childbirth is scanty, sometimes suppressed.  The womb and ovaries are not very tender.

Treatment.—­The first thing to do, of course, is to get the dead material, such as parts of an after-birth, clots, shreds, etc., out of the womb, and then scrape the rough surfaces.  This must be done carefully and with perfectly clean tools and liquids of every kind.  Then wash the womb thoroughly with the hot salt solution.  One teaspoonful of salt to one pint of boiled water.  After this pack the womb with ten per cent iodoform gauze, which may be bought in this strength.  Remove this from the womb about the third to the ninth day.  The bowels should be kept open.

Diet.—­Should be of milk or at least of liquids only.  The patient can be given whisky or brandy and 1/60 grain of strychnine every four hours if needed.

Malignant diseases of the womb.—­Cancer or carcinoma is a malignant disease of the neck (cervix) of the womb.

Causes.—­The immediate cause is not yet known.  Tears and erosions (scraping off and making raw) are supposed to act as direct causes.

Symptoms.—­Bleeding is the early and very important symptom.  After the change of life (menopause) is over if bleeding occurs and continues it is a very bad sign and the womb should be examined immediately.  Later, a watery bloody discharge appears, with pain, loss of weight and general weakness.  Pain is not an early symptom.  It appears when the disease has spread to the nearby tissue.

Treatment.—­The only thing to do is to operate and the earlier the better.  The womb and all its belongings should be removed.  If this is done early it is very successful.  If the case is too far advanced, the only thing to do is to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

For the pain, morphine or opium should be given.

For the discharge, hot water and corrosive sublimate (1 to 2000) is the strength to be used.  This should be used daily as an injection into the vagina.