On Merino Sheep. 35 



the hind legs, and shaking her well while thus suspend- 

 ed, but in cases where it has been of any continuance, a 

 reduction will be found more difficult ; it will then be 

 necessary to cleanse the part well with some cooling 

 wash, previously to putting it back, and to use a few su- 

 tures to prevent a recurrence, care being taken to remove 

 them on the first symptoms of parturition. I have re- 

 course always to the lancet, both as a remedy and pre- 

 ventive. 



III. Prolapsus Uteri is a much more alarming affec- 

 tion, though happily more rare in its occurrence. It 

 is confined chiefly to ewes, producing abortions and 

 still born lambs, and always occurs within a few days 

 after delivery. I had two cases in my flock during the 

 month of March, in both of which, the produce was of 

 this description. The uterus in each of these instances, 

 was completely inverted and distended to a most unna- 

 tural size, and though it was reduced, and sutures used 

 to keep it in place, yet the continual contractions pro- 

 duced by its excessively irritated state, joined to the 

 straining of the ewe, rendered ineffectual all attempts to 

 keep it back, and both consequently died. On dissect- 

 ing them, I found that the uterus was still inverted and 

 occupied the whole space of the vagina. 



Death however is not the necessary consequence of 

 this aff'ection in all cases. If the uterus had been com- 

 pletely cleansed by some cooling lotion previously to 

 reducing it, and copious bleeding resorted to in the be- 

 ginning, both my ewes might probably have been saved.* 

 As neither of them had had lambs, I think it likely that 

 this evil is chiefly incident to those of this description, 



* An intelligent farmer in the neighbourhood informs me, 

 that he lately succeeded by these means, in restoring one of 

 his ewes. 



