It is difficult to estimate the mortality of salpingitis. It is certainly a frequent cause of death--not only immediately, by some of the acute accidents that may occur, but as a result of gradual exhaustion from prolonged suppuration. Acute salpingitis, and the purulent forms of the disease, should always be viewed with anxiety. As appendicitis is the usual cause of peritonitis in man, so is salpingitis the usual cause of this disease in the woman. In every case of peritonitis in a woman, therefore, careful examination of the pelvic organs should be made. Salpingitis is an exceedingly common disease. It occurs in all classes of society, but most frequently in the lower walks of life. Salpingitis is the rule in prostitutes, and in them is caused by gonorrhea or by septic infection at criminal abortion. =Treatment.=--The treatment of acute salpingitis in its early stage should be expectant: absolute rest in the recumbent position, vaginal douches of a gallon of hot sterile water (100°-110° F.) two or three times a day, small doses of saline purgatives (Rochelle salts, ʒss-ʒj every one or two hours) until mild purgation is produced, should be prescribed, and should be continued as required. Relief of pain is afforded by hot fomentations over the lower abdomen. It is best to administer no opium, as it is very important to watch these cases closely, and the symptoms that demand operation might be masked by the administration of an anodyne. Examinations should be made with great care and gentleness, and no oftener than is necessary to determine the progress of the disease. If the patient is progressing satisfactorily, repeated examinations are contraindicated. A chill followed by a rapid high elevation of temperature (105°-106° F.) is often caused by even gentle manipulation of the upper organs of generation in cases of acute inflammation. The case must be watched carefully and continuously. In the gonorrheal and septic forms of the disease there is great danger of extension to the peritoneum, or of the formation of a tubal or other form of pelvic abscess that will imperil the life of the woman. As a general rule, it may be said that, unless there are well-marked symptoms of extensive pelvic peritonitis, or unless a distinct tumor can be felt in the pelvis, operation is not indicated. As resolution undoubtedly takes place even after severe acute attacks of salpingitis, it is right to treat the woman with this end in view rather than to resort to an immediate mutilating operation.