he vagina and finally out
of the body. This gives rise to the belief that the only trouble is in
the vagina itself, whereas the real seat of the disease may be high up
in the uterus.

~FIG. 3. A lateral view of the contents of the female pelvis. 1. the
vagina; 2. uterus; 3. bladder; 4. lower bowel; 5. bone forming the pubic
arch; 6. the spinal cord, with bone in front and back of it.~

=The Uterus.=--The uterus, or womb, is a hollow organ formed of muscular
tissue, and lined with a delicate mucous membrane. The bladder is in
front, the rectum behind, and the vagina below.

=Three Parts.=--Physicians divide this important organ into three
parts,--the fundus, body, and neck. The fundus is all the upper rounded
portion; the body all that portion between the fundus and the neck; and
the neck all the rounded lower part.

=The Cavity of the Uterus.=--This is divided into the cavity of the body
and the cavity of the neck. By consulting our illustration it is seen
that these cavities differ greatly in shape; that of the body being
triangular, while that of the neck is barrel-shaped.

By referring again to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the cavity of the body
has three openings, one on either side at the top going to the Fallopian
tubes, and an opening at the bottom passing into the cavity of the neck.
A constriction exists between these two cavities; but after childbirth
this is largely done away with, and there is not that marked difference
which existed formerly.

=Glands in Uterus.=--In the mucous membrane lining the uterus are vast
numbers of minute glands which secrete mucus. It has been asserted that
in the cavity of the neck alone there are from ten to twelve thousand
of these glands. It is in this mucous membrane that such remarkable
changes occur each month during menstruation, and still more wonderful
changes during pregnancy.

=The Ligaments of the Uterus.=--By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen
that there are on each side of the uterus flat bands of tissue known as
"broad ligaments." These ligaments are attached to the sides of the
pelvic cavity, and aid greatly in holding the uterus firmly in place.
There are also other ligaments concerned in this same work, although the
broad ligaments are most important. The illustration also shows the
walls of the vagina cut open, in order that the position of the mouth of
the uterus may be easily seen.

~FIG. 4. This illustration shows the cavities in a uterus which has