The _progress of a miscarriage_ varies according to the time at which it occurs, and the causes from which it arises. When it results from any violence or accident, it usually takes place in a short time, and is preceded by abundant flooding, which comes on immediately. The discharge of blood however, is lesser the nearer we approach the full term, so that a female six months gone is not in nearly so much danger from flooding as one only two or three months gone. The reason is this, in the early months nearly the whole of the fœtal membranes are attached to the womb, so that in case of their being separated, it bleeds from nearly all its internal surface, but in the latter months the only point of attachment is the placenta. In the latter months also the womb contracts vigorously, and so closes its vessels, but in the early months its contractions are comparatively feeble. In those cases also, where the child has been dead a considerable time before its expulsion, there is seldom much flooding, the connection between it and the mother having been more or less destroyed by decay of the parts. The same result mostly follows a miscarriage from internal disease, particularly of the placenta. Indeed in some of these cases, the blood-vessels connecting the fœtus with the mother have been so completely destroyed, that no blood whatever could escape from them. In regard to the probable consequences of premature delivery, it has already been remarked that it is more dangerous in the early months than the latter. It may also be added that it is much more dangerous, at any time, when caused by violence of any kind, or by forcing medicines, than when it occurs naturally. The danger is much increased if it occurs during fever, or any eruptive disease, or if the patient be suffering from diarrhœa or convulsions. As a general rule we may say, in all cases, that miscarriage or abortion is always more dangerous to mother and child than natural labor, both in its present and in its future consequences. During an attack of jaundice an abortion may terminate fatally in a few hours; and very frequently the trouble with the after treatment is very great and long-continued. The treatment in an accident of this kind must vary according as we are required to prevent it, or to remedy the evils that follow when it has occurred.