blades are then
separated as shown
in this illustration,
the cervical canal
being thereby dilated
to the required
extent.]

TREATMENT. From the nature of this malady, it will readily be seen that
no medical treatment can effect a radical cure. We must therefore resort
to surgery. In a small proportion of cases, the stricture may be cured
by repeated dilations of the constricted part of the cervical canal.
This may be accomplished by using a very smooth probe which is fine at
the point, but increases in size, so that its introduction will widen
and expand the orifice and canal. The stricture may be overcome in many
cases by using different sized probes. In some instances, we have
employed the uterine dilator, represented by Fig. 3. We have also
introduced sea-tangle and sponge tents into the neck of the womb, and
allowed them to remain until they expanded by absorbing moisture from
the surrounding tissues. The latter process is simple, and in many cases
preferable. By means of a speculum (see Figs. 15 and 16), the mouth of
the womb is brought into view, and the surgeon seizes a small tent with
a pair of forceps and gently presses it into the neck of the womb, where
it is left to expand and thus dilate the passage. If there seems to be a
persistent disposition of the circular fibers of the cervix to contract,
and thus close the canal, a surgical operation will be necessary to
insure permanent relief. In performing this operation, we use a cutting
instrument called the hysterotome (see Figs. 4 and 5). By the use of
this instrument, the cervical canal is enlarged by an incision on either
side. The operation is but slightly painful, and, in the hands of a
competent surgeon, is perfectly safe. We have operated in a very large
number of cases and have never known any alarming or dangerous symptoms
to result. After the incision, a small roll of cotton, thoroughly
saturated with glycerine, is applied to the incised parts, and a larger
roll is introduced into the vagina. The second day after the operation,
the cotton is removed, the edges of the wound separated by a uterine
sound or probe, and a cotton tent introduced into the cervix, and
allowed to remain, so that it will expand and thus open the wound to its
full extent. This treatment must be thoroughly applied, and repeated
every alternate day, until the incised parts are perfectly healed.

[Illustration: Fig. 4.
WHITE'S HYSTEROTOME.

In operating, this instrument is i