338 DAIRYING COWS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT 



and allay pain. When the displacement of the uterus is noticed, 

 before it protrudes to any great extent, it may be easily 

 replaced by closing the hand (to prevent injury by the finger- 

 tips) and pressing it back gently but firmly. If necessary, 

 the uterus may be washed previous to replacement, tepid 

 water being used on account of its producing less pain than 

 a cold application. The hand is not withdrawn until the 

 normal position of the uterus has been secured. The most 

 effectual way to prevent its reappearing externally is to 

 stitch across from hip to hip with clean white tape or wire 

 drawn through three holes made by a penknife in the skin 

 on each side, the tape passing over the lips of the vulva to 

 give support. The treatment appears cruel, but is an effectual 

 one in serious cases. West's vaginal (spiked) clam now 

 used in veterinary practice accomplishes the object by nearly 

 closing the orifice. To ensure safety, before any symptoms 



of pressing appear, and also 

 in mild cases after it has 

 begun, cow-breeches are of 

 great service, but they are of 

 little value when the pressure 

 is intense, as they cannot be 

 put on sufficiently tight to 



FIO. 18.-COW-BREECHES. rCSiSt the effeCtS f SQ ^^ 



straining. Cow-breeches are 



made of strong leather, in the form illustrated in the accom- 

 panying figure, the four ends being fitted with strong canvas 

 terminations which are not here shown. They are put on 

 to prevent the sudden expulsion of the womb after calving, 

 and openings are made in the leather for the escape of the 

 solid and liquid excrement. The tail of the cow rests in the 

 bifurcation of the two upper ends ; these cross over the back, 

 and are carried forward and tied to a strong band or girth 

 fastened tightly round the body in the region of the heart, 

 while the other ends, conducted past the udder (one on each 

 side), cross on the belly and are similarly fastened below. 

 The floor of the stall under the cow's hind-legs should also be 

 temporarily raised. 



The dangerous operation of amputation, best performed by 

 the ecraseur, in the hands of an experienced veterinary surgeon 

 is at times necessary to forestall mortification when the uterus 



