ACCIDENTS OF PREGNANCY. 



1 83 



brane. This happens when they are in a recumbent position, and it is in 

 some animals of such frequent occurrence as to cause excoriation and 

 ulceration. 



Treatment.— The first thing to be done, if the floor of the stall 

 is lower behind than in front, is to level it, or even raise it a little 

 behind. This may be readily accomplished by means of the litter. The 

 diet may also require attention, giving that which contains sufficient 

 nutriment in small bulk ; constipation should be guarded against or 

 remedied. This treatment will be sufficient in the majority of cases. In 

 others, a bandage, to be hereafter described, may be required, and 

 especially if the tumor is liable to become soiled and irritated when the 

 animal is lying. 



In serious cases, when the tumor is large and the Cow strains, and 

 spontaneous reduction does not occur in the standing position, the mass 

 must be returned. This is readily enough accomplished ; but it some- 

 times happens that reduction does not prevent a continuation of the 

 straining, and even with the bandage the everted vagina again appears. 

 This is due to the mucous membrane, which, not having been properly 

 smoothed down when introduced into the pelvic cavity, is ridged, and 

 these rugae give rise to an uncomfortable sensation, and induce expulsive 

 efforts. 



It is necessary, therefore, in reducing the part, to smooth the vaginal 

 mucous membrane by gentle pressure forward as far as the cervix uteri, 

 in order to efface any folds which may excite uneasiness. After this the 

 bandage may be applied with a view to keeping the vulva closed, until 

 its labia have retracted somewhat. Wire sutures through these have been 

 recommended, but they are very rarely required. 



In very exceptional instances, we may have not only complete prolap- 

 sus vaginae, but also partial protrusion of the uterus itself. Then the 

 case is very serious, owing to the weight and bulk of the foetus, which 

 has to be returned beyond tli^e inlet of the pelvis. Death is often the re- 

 sult of such an accident ; and to prevent a fatal termination, it has been 

 suggested that artificial delivery should be effected without delay. Pre- 

 mature delivery has been counselled in those cases in which the Cow 

 continues to strain and evert the vagina, notwithstanding bandages, 

 sutures, and other means, and when grave consequences are likely to fol- 

 low ; more especially is this advice to be adopted when pregnancy has 

 reached the 260th day, and the calf is alive. 



With Sheep, according to Cox, it is a common custom" to return the 

 partially prolapsed vagina, and to tie the wool across the vulva ; on other 

 occasions a truss, similar to that used for cattle, is employed. Both 

 methods frequently fail, and in these cases nothing answers so well as 

 the ring-shaped pessary. 



Hernia of the Uterus (Hysterocele). 



Hernia of the uterus is not uncommon in the domesticated animals, 

 and has been observed in the Mare, Cow, Sheep, Goat, and Bitch. In 

 the latter animal the organ is often displaced before conception, and the 

 foetus is developed in the hernia ; but with the, larger creatures the empty 

 uterus in too far removed from the abdominal parietes to escape from the 

 cavnty ; and it is only when its volume is increased as gestation advances, 

 that it may form a hernia, should there exist an accidental opening in the 



