ACCIDENTAL PERFORATIONS OF THE UTERUS.

Abstract

Accidental perforations of the walls of the uterus by instruments in gynecologic practice and in efforts to produce abortion are probably more frequent than the reports of cases would appear to show. The circumstances under which these accidents occur are generally such as would lead them to be passed over and the results which sometimes follow are often no doubt assigned to other causes. Dr. Brothers of New York has been able to collect sixty-six recorded cases of accidental perforations of the uterus, of which seventeen died and forty-nine recovered. The use of the sound and the curette in gynecologic practice is probably the most frequent cause of this accident in legitimate practice. The facility with which the sound can be used in exploring the interior of the uterus and in repositing a retrodisplaced organ is no doubt responsible for some of these accidents. There are no means by which