DISEASES OF CATTLE 181 



brought up again easily. In searching for a missing member, it is 

 usually better to turn the head of the cow down hill, so that the gravi- 

 tation of the fetus and abdominal organs forward into the belly of 

 the cow may give more room in which to bring up the missing limb 

 or head. If the cow is lying down turn her on the side opposite to 

 that on which the limb is missing, so that there may be more room 

 for bringing the latter up. Even if a missing limb is reached it is 

 vain to attempt to bring it up during a labor pain. Wait until the 

 pain has ceased, and attempt to straighten out the limb before the 

 next pain comes on. If the pains are violent and continuous, they 

 may be checked by pinching the back or by putting a tight surcingle 

 round the body in front of the udder. These failing, 1 ounce or l 1 /^ 

 ounces of chloral hydrate in a quart of water may be given to check 

 the pains. If the passages have dried up or lost their natural lubri- 

 cating liquid, smear the interior of the passages and womb, and the 

 surface of the calf so far as it can be reached, with pure fresh lard ; 

 or pure sweet oil may be run into the womb through a rubber tube 

 (fountain syringe). In dragging upon the fetus apply strong trac- 

 tion only while the mother is straining, and drag downward toward 

 the hocks as well as backward. The natural curvature of both fetus 

 and passages is thus followed, and the extraction rendered easier. 



DISEASES FOLLOWING CALVING. 



FLOODING (BLEEDING FROM THE WOMB) . 



Though not so common in the cow as in the human female, 

 flooding is sufficiently frequent to demand attention. It may depend 

 on a too rapid calving, and a consequent failure of the womb to con- 

 tract when the calf has been removed. Other causes are laceration of 

 the cotyledons of the womb, and the unnatural adhesion of the mem- 

 branes to the womb, which bleeds when the two are torn apart. 

 Finally, eversion of the womb (casting <the withers) is an occasional 

 cause of flooding. The trouble is only too evident when the blood 

 flows from the external passages in drops or in a fine stream. But 

 when it is retained in the cavity of the womb it may remain unsus- 

 pected until it has rendered the animal almost bloodless. The symp- 

 toms in such a case are paleness of the eyes, nose, mouth, and of the 

 lips of the vulva, a weak, rapid pulse, violent and perhaps loud beat- 

 ing of the heart (palpitations), sunken, staring eyes, coldness of the 

 skin, ears, horns, and limibs, perspiration, weakness in standing, stag- 

 gering gait, and finally inability to rise, and death in convulsions. If 

 these symptoms are seen, the oiled hand should be introduced into the 

 womb, which will be found open and flaccid and containing large 

 blood clots. 



Treatment. Treatment consists in the removal of the fetal 

 membranes and blood clots from the womb (which will not contract 

 while they are present) , the dashing of cold water on the loins, right 

 flank, and vulva, and if these measures fail the injection of cold water 

 into the womb through a rubber tube furnished with a funnel. In 

 obstinate cases a good-sized sponge soaked in tincture of muriate of 

 iron should be introduced into the womb and firmly squeezed, so as 



