The routine use of cathartics and enemata varies, but it is very common to give an enema on the second morning after delivery or castor oil or Rochelle salts, followed by an enema if necessary. After this, a mild cathartic or a low enema is given often enough to produce a daily movement when this is not accomplished by means of the diet. Some doctors, however, prefer that the bowels shall not move for four or five days after delivery, believing that this delay reduces the danger of infection from the intestinal contents, which are swarming with organisms, particularly the colon bacillus. In cases of third degree tears, catharsis is practically always delayed for four to six days in order that the torn edges of the rectal sphincter may become well united before being strained by a bowel movement. In these cases an enema of six or eight ounces of warm olive oil is often given and the patient encouraged to retain it over night, in order to soften the contents of the rectum and lessen the strain and irritation of evacuation. =The Bladder.= The question of helping the patient to void after delivery is one of extreme importance, because she will almost certainly have difficulty in emptying her bladder, and yet catheterization is not to be resorted to unless absolutely necessary. As a rule the patient should be encouraged to try to void from four to eight hours after delivery. If she is unable to do so at first there are several aids which the nurse should employ before admitting the patient’s inability to empty her bladder. Inducing her to drink copious amounts of hot fluids is the first step. Very often she will then void if placed upon a bedpan containing water hot enough to give off steam, and more warm, sterile water is poured directly upon the urethral outlet; or hot and cold sterile water may be dashed, alternately, upon the meatus. The sound of running water is often helpful as well as the application of hot stupes over the supra-pubic region. When everything else fails, success frequently follows the application of a partly filled hot-water bottle over the bladder, held in place by a tight binder, particularly if the patient rests upon a pan of steaming water at the same time.