So far as bacteriologic conclusion may be an index, the following table from Krönig's paper is of interest. Of his 221 cases, 103 were neither examined internally nor douched. Of these he tells us 59 had pathologic secretions, 44 had normal. Now, it would seem that the 59 pathologic-secretion cases would show the greater morbidity; but not so, for of the 59 cases with pathologic secretion, 18 sickened, 30.5 per cent.; and of the 44 cases with normal secretion, 20 sickened, 45.3 per cent. One can conclude either way.
There is another point that must be considered. Some maternity gentlemen speak of their cases as if without the douche. Yet every patient, before she goes into labor, is bathed, soaped, and cleansed, in many eases as never before. Have not the genitals partaken in the process? Certainly, for upon the externals special effort is spent; whether or not it is