626 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



does not, however, always take place. On examination, 

 some time after death of the foetus has occurred, the 

 vagina is found to be more or less irritated, and there may- 

 be a fetid, yellowish discharge from the vulva. The de- 

 comi:)osed foetus is to be found in the uterus, and must be 

 removed as quickly as possible. Warm water, belladonna, 

 etc., may be used to dilate the os uteri, after which the 

 contents of the uterus must be removed by the hand : an 

 operation of a horribly disgusting character, as in many 

 cases the decomposing foetus pulls to pieces, and must be 

 taken away a handful at a time, and at the same time gives 

 rise to an odour so offensive as to be almost unbearable. 

 After the contents of the uterus have been removed, the 

 cavity should be thoroughly cleansed by injections of warm 

 water containing a proper proportion of carbolic acid. The 

 above, besides being work of an exceedingly disgusting 

 character, is also accompanied by a considerable amount 

 of danger to the practitioner, whose hand and arm come 

 into contact with the foetus and the highly acrid discharge 

 from the parts, both of which are very poisonous, almost 

 certain to cause more or less irritation of the hand and arm, 

 and in many cases give rise to severe cases of blood- 

 poisoning, phlegmonous erysipelas, etc., terminating some- 

 times in death. Especially is the danger great in cases 

 where the practitioner has any wounds or sores of any kind 

 upon his hands or arms. The danger may be lessened by 

 injecting the vagina and uterus of the animal with carbol- 

 ized warm water before inserting the hand and arm. 

 These latter should also be copiously smeared with 

 carbolized oil, and on becoming dry should be withdrawn, 

 well washed in warm water containing carbolic acid, treated 

 to another coat of carbolized oil, and so on until the con- 

 tents of womb have been wholly removed ; when the hand 

 and arm being withdrawn, should at once be washed at 



