The post-operative treatment is similar to that after the operation of trachelorrhaphy. Amputation of the cervix does not interfere with conception, with the course of pregnancy, or with labor. CHAPTER XIII. INFLAMMATION OF THE CERVICAL MUCOUS MEMBRANE (CERVICAL CATARRH). The mucous membrane of the cervical canal may be the seat of acute or chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation usually occurs as part of a general acute process affecting the whole of the endometrium, and is commonly the result of gonorrheal or septic infection. It will be considered under General Endometritis. Chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal (cervical catarrh or cervical endometritis) is an exceedingly common affection. Unless caused by gonorrhea, it is nearly always secondary to some local or general condition. The pathological changes that take place in the mucous membrane resemble those found in a similar process in other parts of the body. There is a very marked congestion and hypersecretion of the racemose glands of the cervical canal, so that the most prominent symptom of cervical catarrh, a profuse cervical leucorrhea, is produced. This discharge resembles the normal secretion of the cervical glands. In its physical properties it is characteristic. It is a thick, tenacious mucus, and differs decidedly from the thin, more serous discharge from the vagina or from the body of the uterus. The discharge is often opaque; it is rarely purulent, and is very rarely streaked with blood. The mucous membrane of the cervical canal becomes swollen, and may project or prolapse beyond the limits of the external os, so that the external os has around it a ring of red congested mucous membrane. A similar condition is observed on the eyelids in conjunctivitis. Such a prolapse of the mucous membrane would bring the orifices of some of the racemose glands upon the vaginal aspect of the cervix, where it will be remembered they are not normally present. The inflammatory action extends beyond the limits of the external os on to the vaginal aspect of the cervix. The squamous epithelium exfoliates over a limited area around the external os, and there is produced an erosion resembling that already described under Laceration of the Cervix. Consequently, the red eroded area surrounding the external os that appears in many cases of chronic inflammation of the cervical mucous membrane is due to extension of the inflammatory process on to the vaginal aspect (with desquamation of the superficial squamous cells) and to prolapse of the mucous membrane of the cervical canal. The racemose glands may become obstructed, either as a result of thickening in the character of the secretion or of occlusion of the orifices, and small retention-cysts are formed, which often fill the body of the cervix, and, extending peripherally, appear beneath the mucous membrane of the vaginal aspect. The cervix is then said to have undergone cystic degeneration.