earing down feeling
in the lower abdomen, with backache, frequent calls to pass urine, and a
discharge from the vagina, that is a mixture of mucus and water. After
these symptoms last for a shorter or longer time, labor pains set in, the
bleeding increases and the contents of the womb are discharged. The ovum
may be expelled whole when it looks like a huge blood clot, or it may be
expelled partly and the membranes left behind; or the embryo (child)
alone, surrounded by the transparent membrane, escapes.

If the after-birth has formed it may be cast off entire or piecemeal. The
embryo (child) alone may escape, the neck of the womb contracts and shuts;
bleeding persists for an indefinite period, for weeks and weeks, until the
health of the poor woman is seriously affected. Persistent bleeding of
this kind is almost always due to the retention of portions of the
after-birth or membranes, and should prove to the woman that there is a
serious condition existing which should be speedily corrected. A physician
should be called who should make a thorough examination; and if such a
condition as above described is found, should free the womb from its
retained products, which are not only sapping the woman's life, but also
rendering the future health of the womb very uncertain.

Threatened Abortion.--If a bleeding takes place in the woman who is
pregnant, abortion may be assumed to threaten; a careful examination will
usually settle this matter.

Inevitable Abortion.--The abortion is probably inevitable if the bleeding
becomes persistent and free, the cervix softens, the womb dilates and the
labor pains set in. Still in spite of all these conditions, the bleeding
and pain may cease, and the pregnancy go on to full term, The result of
these cases, if carefully and properly treated, is favorable as far as the
mother is concerned.

Treatment. Preventive. In women where repeated abortions have occurred,
the cause should be diligently sought for. If syphilis exists the
treatment should be begun at the beginning of pregnancy. But when no
special cause can be found, and an irritable condition of the womb is
suspected to be present, the patient must be kept quiet in bed, especially
at the time when menstruation would normally occur. She should also be
guarded against lifting, fright, worry, over-exertion; and medicines like
bromide of potash, five to fifteen grains at a dose, given to quiet and
allay the nervous irritability.

Treatm