=2. Abnormalities in the generative tract= may cause abortions, the most common of these being inflammation of the uterine lining and a malposition of the uterus itself. Gonorrheal infection is a frequent cause of such an inflammation, which so alters the decidua that a satisfactory implantation of the ovum is impossible, and it perishes from lack of nourishment. Uterine misplacements, particularly retroflexion and prolapse, are important causative factors in abortions. This is because the malposition interferes with the blood supply and lesions in the endometrium result. This also presents an unsatisfactory lodgement for the ovum and it cannot survive for long. =3. Acute infectious diseases= all tend to cause the death of the fetus and thus cause abortions. Fetal death in these cases is believed to be due to the transmission of toxic material from mother to child, as may occur also in such poisoning as phosphorus, lead and illuminating gas. =4. Mental or emotional= stress may be the cause of an abortion, but less importance is attached to these factors to-day than formerly. There is an occasional case, however, which can be explained on no other grounds. =5. Physical shocks=, such as falls, blows upon the abdomen, jumping, tripping over carpets, jars, jolting or overexertion, may be the exciting cause of an abortion where there is a marked irritability of the uterine muscles. This factor is largely influenced by individual stability, however, as a slight jar will cause an abortion in one woman, and violent experiences will have no effect upon another, at the same stage of pregnancy. =Symptoms.= For purposes of differentiation in treatment, abortions are usually divided into three groups and designated as threatened, complete and incomplete, but the premonitory symptoms of all of the varieties are the same. They are bleeding, with pain that is usually intermittent, beginning in the small of the back and finally felt as cramps in the lower part of the abdomen. Since menstruation is suspended during pregnancy, it is a safe precaution to regard any bleeding during this period, with or without pain, as a symptom of pending delivery. =Prevention= of abortions is of course more satisfactory than remedial treatment, and a nurse may be very helpful in this respect, by explaining the underlying causes to the patients in her care, and winning their cooperation in preventing a deplorable accident.