stened skin surface.

These sweats will disappear as soon as the mother begins to regain her
strength. A vinegar rub administered on going to bed may often prevent
these sweats.

THE TOILET OF THE VULVA

Immediately after the birth of the baby and the expulsion of the
afterbirth, the thighs and vulva are cleansed as follows: Into a basin
of warm, boiled water are dropped four small antiseptic tablets of
bichlorid of mercury; this gives a proper antiseptic wash. Into this
solution are placed four pieces of sterile cotton Two of these are
used, one at a time, without being returned to the solution to wash
each inside of the thigh, the remaining two to cleanse the vulva.
Without drying the vulva, two sterile pads are applied and pinned to
the binder. These pads are changed every hour during the first day or
two because of the profuse lochial flow.

After each urination and bowel movement, a lysol solution (prepared by
putting one teaspoonful of lysol in a quart of sterile water) is
poured from a clean pitcher over the vulva into the bed pan, and fresh
pads applied. This toilet continues until the close of the second week
or longer, if there is a lochial flow.

These sterile pads not only absorb the lochia but also, among ignorant
or thoughtless mothers, prevent contamination by the patient's hands.

URINATION

The patient should be encouraged to urinate during the first few hours
after labor; catheterization should not take place until every effort
has been made to bring about normal urination; or, until there is a
well marked tumor above the bony arch of the pelvis in the lower part
of the abdomen. It is far less harmful to the patient for her to sit
up on the jar placed on the edge of the bed, than to undergo the risk
of inflammation of the bladder which so often follows catheterization.

THE LOCHIA

The first few days the lochia is very red because of the large amount
of blood which it contains. After the third or fourth day it is paler
and after the tenth it assumes a whitish or yellowish color. During
the three changes it should always smell like fresh blood. Any foul,
putrifying odor should be promptly reported to the physician.

If on getting up at the close of the second week the lochia should
resume its red color, the patient should return to bed and notify her
physician.

THE ABDOMINAL BINDER

After the tenth day, the abdominal binder may be pinned as tightly as
the patient desires, but pr