Case of Occlusion of the Vagina : Operation

A Brahamanee, aged 40, married, mother of seven children, of fair complexion and delicate make, resident of a village 30 miles east of Tanjore, placed herself under treatment on the 2nd February 1883, complaining of occlusion of the vagina after a severe labour in her last or seventh confinement two years ago. She attributed her condition to the maltreatment received from the midwives in attendance, and stated that for the last two years she has had no menstrual discharge, though the periodical molimina have not been absent. During this period she says her sufferings are great. When she applied for advice, she complained chiefly of difficult micturition, obstinate constipation, relieved only by purgative medicines, want of appetite and sleep. She had been treated by native practitioners without relief. On examination the external organs of generation were found perfect, excepting that the entrance to the vagina was completely closed by a cicatrix which had a soft feel. The uterus was felt above the pubes as a hard irregular tumour. The urethra admitted of the introduction of an ordinary female catheter.