182 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



to bring the iron in contact with the bleeding surface. This is at 

 once an astringent and a coagulant for the blood, besides stimulating 

 the womb to contraction. In the absence of this agent astringents 

 (solution of copperas, alum, tannic acid, or acetate of lead) may be 

 thrown into the womb, and one-half dram doses of acetate of lead 

 may be given by the mouth, or 1 ounce powdered ergot of rye may be 

 given in gruel. When nothing else is at hand, an injection of oil of 

 turpentine will sometimes promptly check the bleeding. 



EVERSION OF THE WOMB (CASTING THE WITHERS). 



Like flooding, this is the result of failure of the womb to contract 

 after calving. If that organ contracts naturally, the afterbirth is 

 expelled, the internal cavity of the womb is nearly closed, and the 

 mouth of the organ becomes so narrow that the hand can not be 

 forced through, much less the whole mass of the matrix. When, 

 however, it fails to contract, the closed end of one of the horns may 

 fall into its open internal cavity, and under the compression of the 

 adjacent intestines, and the straining and contraction of the abdomi- 

 nal walls, it is forced farther and farther, until the whole organ is 

 turned outside in, slides back through the vagina, and hangs from 

 the vulva. The womb can be instantly distinguished from the pro- 

 truding vagina or 'bladder by the presence over its whole surface of 

 fifty to one hundred mushroom-like bodies (cotyledons), each 2 to 3 

 inches in diameter, and attached by a narrow neck. When fully 

 everted, it is further recognizable by a large, undivided body hang- 

 ing from the vulva, and two horns or divisions which hang down 

 toward the hocks. In the imperfect eversions the body of the womb 

 may be present with two depressions leading into the two horns. In 

 the cases of some standing the organ has become inflamed and gorged 

 with blood until it is as large as a bushel basket, and its surface has 

 a dark-red, blood-like hue, and tears and bleeds on the slightest touch. 

 Still later lacerations, raw sores, and even gangrene are shown in the 

 mass. At the moment of protrusion the general health is not altered, 

 but soon the inflammation and fever with the violent and continued 

 straining induce exhaustion, and the cow lies down, making no at- 

 tempt to rise. 



Treatment. Treatment will vary somewhat, according to the 

 degree of the e version. In partial eversion, with the womb protrud- 

 ing only slightly from the vulva and the cow standing, let an assistant 

 pinch the back to prevent straining while the operator pushes his 

 closed fist into the center of the mass and carries it back through the 

 vagina, assisting in returning the surrounding parts by the other 

 hand. In more complete eversion, but with the womb as yet of its 

 natural bulk and consistency, and the cow standing, straining being 

 checked by pinching the back, a sheet is held by two men so as to 

 sustain the everted womb and raise it to the level of the vulva. It is 

 now sponged clean with cold water, the cold being useful in driving 

 out the blood and reducing the bulk, and finally it may be sponged 

 over with laudanum or with a weak solution of carbolic acid (1 dram 

 to 1 quart water) . 



