Before undertaking this work it is needful that one should have a clear conception of a normal clitoris and hood. Only two days ago a physician brought a lady to me for circumcision. In a normal clitoris and hood the point of the glans is exposed and the complete retraction of the hood is easily accomplished. There is no smegma or irritable condition found between them. No tension of the hood is found upon stretching the parts laterally with the thumbs.
Circumcision is performed by cutting a V-shaped piece from the hood over the center of the clitoris.
No. 1 plain catgut suture, take a stitch in the point of the V, uniting the under mucous membrane to the outer skin, just as in circumcision in the male. Usually an additional stitch will be required on either side to join the skin and mucous membrane. When strong adhesions have been broken up, it will be necessary to slide the hood up each day to prevent their reforming. What is preferable is to put a drop of flexible collodion on the clitoris, holding the hood up until it dries. It will then require no further attention.