The methods of induction depend upon the stage to which pregnancy has advanced and also upon the importance of haste. In the very early stages, one method is for the operator to dilate the cervix with a dilator; insert one finger into the cervix and up into the uterus and separate the placenta from its uterine attachment, while making pressure on the uterus from above with the other hand on the abdomen. Another method is to introduce a gauze pack into the cervix, packing it and the vagina firmly and leaving the packing for twenty-four hours. When it is removed the ovum frequently follows. Sometimes the membranes are ruptured, after which the amniotic fluid drains off and the ovum is expelled; or vaginal hysterotomy is sometimes performed when the patient’s condition is such that haste is imperative. The termination of pregnancy before viability is never sanctioned by the Catholic Church, because of the almost certain loss of the child. =Induction of premature labor.= This procedure is the termination of pregnancy after the twenty-eighth week, or after the child is viable, and may be performed to save either the mother or the child or both, from conditions which would evidently work destruction if allowed to persist. The indications for inducing labor prematurely may be a seriously overtaxed heart or kidneys; pulmonary tuberculosis; preëclamptic toxemia or nephritic toxemia; chorea, neuritis; pyelitis; placenta prævia; a fetus that has been dead for two weeks, with no signs of labor; in some cases of nephritis when the fetus during previous pregnancies has died, and it is believed that the child may be saved by inducing labor before the stage in pregnancy at which the others perished. Labor is sometimes induced when the mother’s pelvis is normal, but the child has grown as large as is safe in anticipation of a spontaneous labor, and particularly if the expected date of confinement has passed. [Illustration: FIG. 111.—Rubber bougie used in inducing labor. ] A common method of inducing labor when haste is not important, is to introduce one or more bougies (Fig. 111) through the cervix into the uterine cavity between the membranes and the uterine wall. The presence of the bougies will often stimulate the uterine contractions and bring on labor, with expulsion of the fetus, in from six to twenty-four hours. [Illustration: FIG. 112.—Champetier de Ribes’ bag. ] More speedy results are obtained by the use of rubber bags, which may be collapsed before introduction and expanded afterward by filling them with sterile salt solution. There is a great variety of bags for this purpose, two of which that are frequently used are the Champetier de Ribes (Fig. 112) and the Voorhees bags. (Fig. 113.) They come in graduated sizes, the largest holding about 500 cubic centimetres. [Illustration: FIG. 113.—Voorhees’ bag, collapsed. ] [Illustration: FIG. 114.—Rubber bag rolled and held in forceps for introduction into uterus. ] [Illustration: