Cancer of the Body of the Womb is found in only about two per cent of womb cancers.

Treatment.—­An early operation is then necessary.  The chances of obtaining a cure if operation is done is better even than in cancer of the neck of the womb.  There is less chance for the adjoining structures to be affected so early and readily.

[ Woman’s department 501]

Fibroid tumors of the womb or Fibromata, Frequency.—­Some observers state that twenty to forty per cent of all women over thirty-five years have one or more of these tumors.  They are not malignant.  They are more common in women who are sterile, unable to become pregnant.  They appear early in life and attack all classes.  They appear oftener in the body of the womb than in the neck.  When in the body of the womb the back wall is the common site.  A covering of loose fibrous tissue surrounds the growth.  Few blood vessels appear in the tumor, nourishment being received from the surrounding tissues.  Their growth is slow, except during pregnancy, when they grow rapidly.  There are three varieties named according to their location and the structure covering:  or surrounding them. 1.  Interstitial; 2. sub-mucus; 3. sub-peritoneal or sub-serous.

1.  Interstitial.—­They are in the substance of the womb wall.  They are usually many and vary in size.

2.  Sub-mucus (under the mucous membrane).—­They project into the cavity of the womb, are covered by mucous membrane and are attached to the womb by a broad base or pedicle.  This is sometimes cut off spontaneously, and then the tumor is expelled from the womb.

3.  Sub-peritoneal.—­They are under the peritoneum, which forms its outer cover.

Causes.—­Are not known.  They are more frequent between thirty and forty.

Symptoms.—­Difficult monthly sickness, too much blood flowing from the womb, unable to become pregnant, sometimes, and abortion.  Bleeding comes more from the sub-mucus variety generally.  Pain is caused by the size and weight and by pressure upon the bladder, rectum and the nerves.  Death rarely results except from the complications.

Mother’s remedy. 1.  Ulcers of the Womb, Common Wood Cactus for.—­“Common wood cactus tea.  Take wineglassful three times a. day.”  Should remove all thorns, chop fine and boil in sufficient water; add gin to make dose more pleasant.

Treatment.—­Operation is needed when the symptoms are pressing.  The sub-mucus variety may make an early operation necessary on account of their location.

Symptoms Calling for an Operation.—­Size of the tumor; from the pressure symptoms; persistent bleeding from the womb.  Sometimes it is necessary to remove the entire womb, especially in the interstitial variety, for the walls of the womb may be filled with the tumors.

[502 Mothers’ remedies]

Subinvolution of the womb.—­This simply means that the womb, after miscarriage or child-birth, fails to return to its normal size and weight.