DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 219 



those of complete suppression ot urine and tenderness of the abdo- 

 men, with a steady accumulation of liquid, and fluctuation on han- 

 dling its lower part. If the hand is introduced into the vagina it 

 is felt to be hot and tender, and perhaps slightly swollen along its 

 floor. As a final test, if the lower, fluctuating part of the abdomen 

 is punctured with a hypodermic needle, a straw-colored liquid of a 

 urinous odor flows out. The condition has been considered as past 

 hope. The only chance for recovery would be in opening the abdo- 

 men, evacuating the liquid, and stitching up the rent in the bladder, 

 but at such a season, and with inflammation already started, there 

 would be little to hope for. 



RUE»TURE OF THE WOMB. 



When the womb has been rendered friable by disease rupture may 

 occur in the course of the labor, but much more frequently it occurs 

 from violence sustained in attempting assistance in difficult parturi- 

 tion. It is also liable to occur during eversion of the organ through 

 efforts to replace it. 



If it happens while the calf is still in the womb, it will usually 

 bleed freely and continuously until the fetus has been extracted, so 

 that the womb can contract on itself and expel its excess of blood. 

 Another danger is that in case of a large rent the calf may escape 

 into the cavity of the abdomen and parturition become impossible. 

 Still another danger is that of the introduction of septic germs and 

 the setting up of a fatal inflammation of the lining membrane of the 

 belly (peritoneum). Still another is the escape of the small intes- 

 tine through the rent and on through the vagina and vulva, so as to 

 protrude externally and receive perhaps fatal injuries. In case of 

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

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

 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 permissible 

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

 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 th( rent, 

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

 torily, the cow even breeding successfully in after years. 



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 



