DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 205 



FLOODING, OR BLEEDING FROM THE WOMB. 



This is rare in the mare, but not unknown, in connection ^'ith a 

 faihire of the Avonib to contract on its^elf after parturition, or with 

 eversion of tiie womb (casting the withers), and congestion or hicera- 

 tion. If tlie bh)0(l accumuhites in the flaccid womb, the condition 

 may be suspected only by reason of the rapiiUy advancing weaknes?^, 

 swaying, unsteady gait, hanging head, paleness of the eyes and other 

 mucous membranes, and weak, snuill, failing pulse. The hand in- 

 tri.'duced into the womb detects the presence of the blood partly 

 clotted. If the blood escapes by the vulva, the condition is evident. 



Tiratimtit consists in evacuating the womb of its blood clots, giv- 

 ing a large dose of powdered ergot of rye, and in the application of 

 cold water or ice to the loins and external generative organs. Besides 

 this, a si:)onge imi)regnated with a strong solution of alum, or, still 

 better, with tincture of nuiriate of iron, may be introduced into the 

 womb and scjueezed so as to bring the liquid in contact with the 

 walls generally. 



EVERSION OF THE WOMB. 



If the womb fails to contract after difficult parturition, the after- 

 pains will sometimes lead to the fundus passing into the body of the 

 organ and passing through that and the vagina imtil the whole 

 inverted organ appears externally and hangs down on the thighs. 

 The residt is rapid engorgement and swelling of the organ, impaction 

 of the rectum w ith feces, and distention of the bladder with urine, all 

 of which conditions seriously interfere with the return of the mass. 

 In returning the womb the standing is preferable to the recumbent 

 ])osition, as the abdomen is more pendent and there is less obstruc- 

 tion to the return. It may, however, be necessary to put hobbles on 

 the hind limbs to prevent the mare from kicking. A clean sheet 

 should Ix' held beneath the womb, and all filth, straw, and foreign 

 bodies washed from its surface. Then with a broad, elastic (india- 

 rubber) band, or in default of that a long strip of wilico 4 or 5 inches 

 wide, wind the womb as tightly as j^ossible, l)eginning at its most 

 dependent pail (the extremity of the horn). This serves two good 

 ends. It squeezes out into the general circulation the enormous mass 

 of blood which engorged and enlarged the organ, and it furnishes a 

 strong protective covering for the now delicate, friable organ, througii 

 which it may be safely manipulated without danger of laceration. 

 The next step may be the pressure on the general mass whik' those 

 portions next the vulva are gradually pusiied in with the hands: or 

 the extreme lowest point (the end of the horn) may l)e turned within 

 itself and jiushed forward int<» the vngina by the closed fist, the 

 return being assisted by mani|)ulations ity the other hand, and even 

 by those of assistants. By either mode the manipulations may be 



