The vaginal smear method developed by Papanicolaou for the detection of carcinoma has found a great number of ardent supporters but has received a certain amount of adverse criticism as well. The original technic of aspiration from the posterior fornix1has been replaced by other methods, such as direct aspiration from the cervical os, scraping of the squamocolumnar junction with a specially designed spatula2or by the insertion of a cotton applicator into the cervical canal. The criteria for the recognition of malignant cells have been extensively described.3However, there is some difference of opinion on the advantage of this method over biopsy with regard to accuracy and on its value or feasibility as a screening and diagnostic procedure. These various problems were thoroughly investigated for a period of three years by a study of routine vaginal smears from 10,000 women. INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE AND METHOD The procedure