342 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



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

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

 should be 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 calico 4 or 5 inches 

 wide, wind the womb as tightly as possible, beginning at its most 

 dependent part. 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, through which it may be safely ma- 

 nipulated without danger of laceration. The next step may be the 

 pressure on the general mass while those portions next the vulva are 

 gradually pushed in with the hands; or the extreme lowest point 

 may be turned within itself and pushed forward into the vagina by 

 the closed fist, the return being assisted by manipulations by the 

 other hand, and even by those of assistants. By either mode the 

 manipulations may be made with almost perfect safety so long as the 

 organ is closely wrapped in the bandage. Once a portion has been 

 introduced into the vagina the rest will usually follow with increas- 

 ing ease, and the operation should be completed with the hand and 

 arm extended the full length within the womb and moved from 

 point to point so as to straighten out all parts of the organ and insure 

 that no portion still remains inverted within another portion. Should 

 any such partial inversion be left it will give rise to straining, under 

 the force of which it will gradually increase until the whole mass will 

 be protruded as before. The next step is to apply a truss as an effec- 

 tual mechanical barrier to further escape of the womb through the 

 vulva. The simplest is made with two inch ropes, each about 18 

 feet long. These are each doubled and interwoven at the bend. The 

 ring formed by the interlacing of the two ropes is adjusted around 

 the vulva, the two ends of the one rope are carried up on the right 

 and left of the tail and along the spine, being wound round each 

 other in their course, and are finally tied to the upper part of the 

 collar encircling the neck. The remaining two ends, belonging to 

 the other rope, are carried downward and forward between the thighs 

 and thence forward and upward on the sides of the belly and chest 

 to be attached to the right and left sides of the collar. These ropes 

 are drawn tightly enough to keep closely applied to the opening 

 without chafing, and will fit still more securely when the mare raises 

 her back to strain. It is desirable to tie the mare short so that she 

 may be unable to lie down for a day or two, and she should be kept 

 in a stall with the hind parts higher than the fore. Violent straining 

 may be checked by full doses of opium (one-half dram), and any 

 costiveness or diarrhea should be obviated by a suitable laxative or 

 binding diet. 



In some mares the contractions are too violent to allow of the 

 return of the womb, and full doses of opium one-half dram, lauda- 

 num 2 ounces, or chloral hydrate 1 ounce, may be demanded, or the 

 mare must be rendered insensible by ether or chloroform. 



