186 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



rupture before calving, that act should be completed as rapidly and 

 carefully as possible, the fetal membranes removed and the contract- 

 tion of the womb sought by dashing cold water on the loins, the right 

 flank, or the vulva. If the calf has escaped into the abdomen and 

 can not be brought through the natural channels it may be per- 

 missible to fix the animal and extract it through the side, as in the 

 Ca3sarian section. If the laceration has happened during eversion of 

 the womb it is usually less redoubtable, because the womb contracts 

 more readily under the stimulus of the cold air so recently applied. 

 In case the abdomen has been laid open it is well to stitch up the rent, 

 but if not it should be left to nature, and will often heal satisfactorily, 

 the cow even breeding successfully in after years. 



LACERATIONS AND RUPTURES OF THE VAGINA. 



Rupture of the floor of the vagina has been already referred to as 

 allowing the protrusion of the bladder. Laceration of the roof of this 

 passage is also met with as the result of deviations of the hind limbs 

 and feet upward when the calf lies on its back. In some such cases 

 the opening passes clear into the rectum, or the foot may even pass 

 out through the anus, so that that opening and the vulva are laid open 

 into one. , 



Simple superficial lacerations of the vaginal walls are not usually 

 serious, and heal readily unless septic inflammation sets in, in which 

 case the cow is likely to perish. They may be treated with soothing 

 and antiseptic injections, such as carbolic acid, 1 dram; water, 1 

 quart. 



The more serious injuries depend on the complications. Rupture 

 of the anterior part of the canal, close to the mouth of the womb, may 

 lead to the introduction of infecting germs into the cavity of the ab- 

 domen, or protrusion of the bowel through the rent and externally, 

 either of which is likely to prove fatal. If both these conditions are 

 escaped the womb may heal spontaneously. Rupture into the 

 bladder may lead to nothing worse than a constant dribbling of 

 urine from the vulva. The cow should be fattened if she survives. 

 Rupture into the rectum will entail a constant escape of feces through 

 the vulva, and, of course, the same condition exists when the anus as 

 well has been torn open. I have successfully sewed up an opening 

 of this kind in the mare, but in the cow it is probably better to pre- 

 pare for the butcher. 



CLOTS OF BLOOD IN THE WALLS OF THE VAGINA. 



During calving the vagina may be bruised so as to cause escape 

 of blood beneath the mucous membrane and its coagulation into large 

 bulging clots. The vulva may appear swollen, and on separating its 

 lips the mucous membrane of the vagina is seen to be raised into irreg- 

 ular rounded swellings of a dark-blue or black color, and which pit 

 on pressure of the finger. If the accumulation of blood is not exten- 

 sive it may be reabsorbed, but if abundant it may lead to irritation 

 and dangerous inflammation, and should be incised with a lancet 

 and the clots cleared out. The wounds may then be sponged twice a 

 day with a lotion made with 1 dram sulphate of zinc, 1 dram carbolic 

 acid, and 1 quart water. 



