instances, on the other hand, the accident is unavoidable; to know
this should afford the patient a large measure of comfort.

Irregularities in the position of the womb are often responsible for
miscarriage. Such a condition may exist in women who have not borne
children, but it is far more likely to occur as a result of
childbirth. After delivery, the enlarged womb becomes the seat of
intricate changes, the purpose of which is the restoration of the
organ to the condition which existed before conception. It dwindles
in size, and gradually drops to its accustomed location within the
pelvic cavity. Six weeks are usually required for these changes.

At the time of birth it is impossible to predict whether the womb
will finally resume a satisfactory position. Accordingly, an
examination two to four weeks later is essential. In four out of five
patients the organ will be found in its proper location, but, even
though it is not, suitable measures adopted at once will generally
serve to replace and hold it in good position. On the other hand, if
the malposition is not recognized until months or years later, simple
procedures will prove inefficient, and a surgical operation will
become necessary. Were there no other reason for a careful
examination at the end of the lying-in period, it would be amply
justified by the information which it gives relative to the position
of the uterus.

Although there can be no doubt that the routine correction of uterine
displacements shortly after labor would go far toward restricting the
occurrence of subsequent miscarriage, it would be incorrect to leave
the impression that miscarriage will always occur if the uterus is
out of its normal position. Not infrequently the changes wrought by