A thorough examination of the mucous membrane of the urethra which does not reveal any inflammatory condition or abnormal growth, establishes its neuralgic character. The next step will naturally be to make such a careful examination of all the surrounding tissues and organs, for the purpose of ferreting out the real cause. When the cause is removed or cured, it will also relieve the urethral pain. In the absence of a clear comprehension of the true nature of the malady, the treatment must be palliative. The sitz-bath is always one of the most palliative measures for all sorts of pelvic pains and aches. Vaginal injections of hot water, not too hot, from 105 degrees to 108 degrees, are another sort of general panacea,—the quantity of fluid should be large, from half to one gallon, in which a teaspoonful of pulverized borax has been dissolved. If the pain is very severe, then a Femina vaginal capsule should be used every night before retiring, and immediately after having used the vaginal irrigation. The bed should always be previously warmed with a hot bottle, unless it is very warm weather. If the urine is irritating, a cupful of buchu tea three or four times a day, or German chamomile tea, should be drunk between meals. If these measures do not give relief, then consult an honest, competent physician, in whose integrity you can rely. CHAPTER XII. INFLAMMATION, CATARRH, AND OTHER DISORDERS OF THE BLADDER. THE female bladder is easier approached than that of the male. This is clearly illustrated in the anatomical Plate II, which should be thoroughly studied before this chapter is read. The bladder lies directly behind the symphysis pubis, above or in front of the vagina. On account of the comparative shortness of the female urethra, to that of the male, the cavity of the bladder is also much more accessible through this channel, and if access through this communication does not suffice, then the interior of the female bladder may be exposed by an incision through the anterior wall of the vagina, but this resource becomes rarely necessary. Formerly we had to content ourselves with external appearances, that were confined to the external anatomy of the urinary canal on the anterior vaginal wall, aided only by a delicate sense of touch. Valuable as these means of examination sometimes were, they were far from satisfactory to either physician or patient. Now we are able to examine with the finger, aided with the eyes, almost the entire lining of the bladder.