In regard to the probable termination of this disease, but little hope can be entertained that it will be favorable. Nor are there many indications that can be relied upon with certainty, as to what course it is likely to take. In general it is favorable when the swelling subsides, and the pains abate in severity, and particularly if the milk and lochia begin to be secreted again. The indications are also good in proportion as the symptoms are mild, and when there is no great sympathetic disturbance of other parts of the system. It is regarded as unfavorable when the pain and tenderness extends over a large portion of the abdomen, and when the attack commences very suddenly. The danger is also considered greater in proportion as the disease begins nearer to delivery; and when its first symptoms exhibit themselves before labor it is always considered mortal. It is likewise more dangerous with twins than with a single birth, and with first children than afterwards. It is seldom possible however to come to any probable conclusion till between the fifth and tenth day, and even then it is in general a matter of great uncertainty. The best treatment of this fearful disease is one of the greatest problems in medical science. So many different plans have been adopted, and with such various success, that the history of past cases affords but little reliable data to guide us in future ones. In general the most powerful _antiphlogistic_ measures, or those thought most likely to reduce the inflammation at once, are immediately resorted to, such as bleeding, purgatives, and cold bathing. Bleeding is in particular the great agent depended upon, either from the arm, or by cups and leeches to the abdomen and vulva. Dr. Gordon, of Aberdeen in Scotland, who once met with a regular epidemic of puerperal fever in that city, assures us that nothing else succeeded in arresting the disorder but copious and frequent bleeding, at the very commencement. He carried it so far as to take _twenty-four ounces_ at once, and he says that when he did so the patient was nearly sure to recover, but that at first, when he only abstracted about twelve ounces, she was as nearly sure to die. In about fifty cases to which he was called in time, he only lost _five_, and taking the average of all he attended the recoveries were about two-thirds of the whole number, which is above the usual proportion.