The old clot drops out of the vagina the first time that the patient is raised, or, if retained, it breaks down by putrefaction. On examining these clots, they will be found to be pretty firm, and often contain, intermixed, a quantity of whitish matter, proceeding from the morbid condition of the lochia, for the vessels, after bleeding often, throw out a secretion, and bleed no more until the next paroxysm, which may not take place for one or two days. This complaint either terminates fatally by a convulsion or syncope, or the uterus diminishes in size, and, instead of expelling the contained clot with hemorrhage, the coagulum seems to break down and come away gradually in a fluid form. In abortion, during the early stages of gestation, we cannot take any other precaution to prevent this than keeping the patient for some time very quiet, as motion, or even any agitation of mind, might interfere with the process of recovery. In more advanced gestation, as, for instance, in the seventh month, and afterwards, if we should be obliged, on account of flooding, after the birth of the child, to introduce the hand, and extract the placenta, we must be careful not to withdraw it, until we find the uterus contracting round it, which will be a mean, though not an infallible one, of making it go regularly on in the process of restoration to the unimpregnated state. The best method of treating this complaint is on the very first appearance of hemorrhage, to introduce a firm plug into the vagina, which will prevent it from going to an excessive degree. Afterwards we must take measures to prevent a return. This is best done by keeping the circulation slow, by means of the digitalis, and putting the patient on a mild vegetable diet. We cannot assist the process of restoration otherwise than by endeavouring to excite the contraction of the uterus. This may be done by injecting an astringent fluid two or three times a day, and by ordering saline clysters, which have also the effect of keeping the bowels open, an object of very great importance. We may also find it useful to excite gentle vomiting by small doses of ipecacuanha. This has an excellent effect in making the uterus contract, and often is the method which nature takes to bring about recovery. This complaint is different from the menorrhagia lochialis, or copious discharge of blood brought on by exertion after abortion or delivery. In this case we have no large clot discharged, but just the usual appearances of menorrhagia. This sometimes seems to become associated with other morbid conditions of the system: and in those cases is more or less obstinate as they are intractable. It is generally cured by rest, the application of cold, and the use of the digitalis. The consequent weakness is removed by bark, or preparation of iron, with the cold bath.