However, as the patient was manifestly in a grave condition,
more drastic measures were deemed necessary, and it was
decided that emptying the uterus was the best procedure to
adopt. As several vaginal examinations had been made, a long
douche of 1 in 100 lysol was administered, and the vulva was
then carefully prepared. The patient was now placed in the
left lateral position and chloroform administered. BossTs
dilator was then introduced into the cervix, the shields having
been previously removed from the prongs. Slow dilatation was
continued till the index registered 3J cms., when the instru-
ment was withdrawn and the shields placed on the prongs.
