AS A RESULT of a recent discussion of catheterization of female patients for bacteriologic study of the urine, it became evident that a great variety of technics are being used at the present time. The information given in some textbooks on urology, on pediatrics, and on laboratory diagnosis is merely that for bacteriologic examination of the urine of the female a catheterized specimen must be obtained, and if a definite technic of catheterization is described it usually is rather complicated and necessitates washing the hands several times, washing the vulva, and the application of antiseptics.
For many years, I have been using a very simple technic for the catheterization of female infants and children, which is also applicable for adults. The following equipment is used for catheterizing girls: (1) a short glass catheter which is 3 in. (7.6 cm.) long and one-eighth inch (0.32 cm.) in diameter, to which is