Either the nurse or the patient herself may easily press a tampon into its proper position, if she possesses an ordinary amount of boldness and dexterity. She will find it more difficult to properly place it, however, if there is tannin or other astringent substance on the outside of it. This has an astringent effect immediately when it comes in contact with the vagina, and an unusual amount of vaseline is necessary to cover it. If a solution of tannin, alum, acetate of lead, sulphate of zinc, or carbolic acid be used, it is best to prepare several tampons at the same time; soak all the tampons in the solution, squeeze them out and dry them, then when one is used put it inside a bag and apply it dry. The patient herself, if she is intelligent, and is not too timid, can introduce the tampon. She should first smear its surface with vaseline, lard, or olive oil. Then lying on her back with thighs separated and flexed, draw the labia apart with the fingers of one hand and steadily crowd the tampon into the vagina with the other, always taking care to have a good, strong cord, one end attached to the tampon and the other hanging down to facilitate removal. It is well also, sometimes, to place another pledget of cotton between the labia, that can be removed when the woman urinates. When all is well crowded into place, the tampon should be retained by a broad T bandage, covered by oiled silk when it rests against the vulva. Generally the whole should be removed within from eighteen to twenty-four hours, and hot water or some cleansing injection used, and the tampon be soon reapplied. If opium or morphine is used with the tampon, as it is sometimes when there is considerable pain, first dip the cotton in glycerine, and then sprinkle the narcotic on the outside. If borax, tannin, alum, acetate of lead, sulphate of zinc, chlorate of potash, or carbolic acid is used, I think it well to envelop the undissolved drug in cotton, put it in the middle of the tampon, and let it dissolve slowly in the vagina. It is best when thus applied to let the whole suppository remain as much as forty-eight hours; it should, however, be removed when it seems to cause smarting or excoriations. The accompanying cut (Fig. 13) is inserted to show what is the knee-chest or genu-pectoral position, as well as to exhibit the retroversion of the uterus. Note that in this position the hips are elevated, and remember that it does not suffice to get on the hands and knees if the haunches are low down on the legs and ankles. RETROFLEXION AND ANTIFLEXION. [Illustration: Fig. 14. Retroflexion of the uterus. ] The condition known as _retroflexion_ consists of a bending back of the uterus at a point where the neck joins the body, so that the fundus is found between the cervix and rectum, the os uteri being in the natural position.