530 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



the umbilical cord hanging down from the vulva. In 

 cases where this symptom is not presented, the presence, 

 or absence, of the placenta within the uterine cavit}^ may 

 be ascertained by a manual exploration of the uterus. 

 It should never be removed immediately after birth of 

 the young animal, as serious results may follow, and by 

 waiting twenty-four hours, it may come away of its own 

 accord. Savin, laurel, aniseed, sodse carb., potassium, 

 small doses of magnesia sulph., etc., have all been recom- 

 mended to be administered internally for the removal of 

 the placenta, but their efficacy is, to say the least, doubtful. 

 In cases where decomposition of the placental membrane 

 sets in, its removal must be effected without delay. The 

 hand and arm should be well lubricated with carbolized oil, 

 and then gently passed into the uterus, the cotyledonal 

 attachments found and gently broken down, after which 

 the placenta may be easily removed. Injections of carbol- 

 ized water into the uterus may be freely given both before 

 and after removal of the membrane. If given before 

 inserting the hand and arm, danger to the practitioner of 

 blood poisoning will thereby be greatly lessened ; and 

 similar injections given after the placenta has been removed, 

 in conjunction with the administration per mouth of soda3 

 hyposulphite, will often prevent septicaemia : a result 

 almost certain to occur in all cases in which the placenta 

 has been retained for a great length of time. 



INVERSION OF THE UTERUS. 



• This is usually a result of difficult parturition, and of 

 violent straining and ex^xilsive efforts on the part of the 

 animal. Inversion of the uterus is most frequently observed 

 to occur amongst cows, and may take place at any time 

 up to twenty-four hours after parturition. The condition 

 is rarely observed in other than debilitated animals. 



