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performing amputation of the cervix, anterior colporrhaphy, extensive colpoperineorrhaphy, and suspension of the uterus, and ligatured both Fallopian tubes with silk. Eighteen months afterwards she appeared in my consultation room four months pregnant. I had told her she need not be afraid of becoming pregnant again. She took no precautions, whereas for nine years previously she had taken precautions with success. Ultimately a child weighing 14 lb. was born; the mother was torn to the uttermost and prolapse occurred worse than ever. I had to operate again; there was no sign of the silk, no evidence of stricture of the tubes, which both looked quite normal."

The Sterilization of the male, where necessary, is a much less serious operation. The old method of castration is never employed where sterilization pure and simple is desired. The best practical method is vasectomy.

Of Vasectomy, Belfield said as long ago as 1909^[1] that it "is an office operation; it can be performed in a few minutes under cocain anæsthesia, through a skin cut half-