Sometimes the mouth of the womb or other soft parts, will not give way, but remain obstinately rigid, so as to render the continued expulsive efforts of the womb of no avail. If this state continues too long the parts become swollen, hot, and dry, and extremely painful, so that the slightest touch causes acute suffering. The abdomen also becomes exquisitely tender, fever sets in, with cold sweats, the head begins to wander, the features express great anxiety and suffering, and the voice alters so that it can scarcely be recognized. These symptoms will sometimes be established, and become rapidly worse in a remarkably short time, so that the patient will appear to pass suddenly from a condition of comparative ease and safety to one of extreme peril and suffering. The child also suffers in an equal degree, the continued pressure upon its head having a most injurious effect. The bones overlap to a great distance, the scalp is engorged with fluid, and all its blood-vessels are ready to burst; the brain is severely compressed; the circulation in it is suspended, and apoplexy frequently ensues. Even when one of these protracted cases eventually terminates without immediate mischief, there is much subsequent evil to be feared. The bruised parts frequently slough away, so that fistulas are formed, and the whole remain so permanently weak that they can never afterwards retain their places. The most usual resort in these cases of obstinate rigidity is _blood-letting_. This frequently induces relaxation immediately, and also checks the tendency to inflammation and fever. In many cases however, if not in all, it may be dispensed with, and should always be so if possible. Very frequently it produces as much evil as good, by alarming the patient, and by creating a debility which cannot afterwards be removed. Simple warm _fomentations_ will often make the rigid parts give way; and so will lubricating them with soothing ointment, or better still anointing them with the _Extract of Belladonna_. This frequently acts like a charm, and opens the rigid os tincæ in a few minutes. Injections of thin starch and laudanum are also excellent, and may be advantageously administered before applying the Belladonna. The _Galvanic Battery_ may also be employed, it having induced relaxation in many cases, when all other means failed; as will be seen by the cases quoted in "Practical Facts." If the labor really does progress though slowly, it is generally best to have patience and let it take its course. If however the patient is likely to sink before it is completed, or if it is at a stand still, and cannot be accelerated, artificial delivery may be necessary. It is seldom however that all of the above mentioned means fail. OBLIQUITIES OF THE WOMB.