562 OBSTETRIC OPERATIONS. 



which, while pregnant, had its pelvis injured by being run over by a carriage. When 

 parturition had been going on fruitlessly for some time, an examination was made, and 

 it was discovered that, owing to the fracture of the pelvis, 'just above the symphysis 

 pubis, the dimensions of the canal were greatly reduced and altered in form, so that the 

 finger could scarcely be passed. Chloroform was administered, the hair removed from 

 the skin in the right iliac region, where the incision was made. Two puppies were re- 

 moved, the wound in the uterus closed*by silver wire suture. In three weeks the Bitch 

 was well. The puppies, put to another bitch, also lived. 



20. ?>zcc\\&ro [Giornale di Med. Veterinaria, 1858) alludes to the case of a four-years old 

 Cow, which had been in labor for tliree days, and every attempt to remove the Calf per 

 vaginani had failed. The os uteri could not be dilated. So it was proposed to extract 

 the foetus by the Cassarean section. The animal was cast and properly secured ; an in- 

 cision was made in the left flank, when all the intestines suddenly rushed from the wound ; 

 these were received on a sheet, which was kept moist with tepid water. 



The uterus was then exposed, cut into, and a dead Calf pulled out by the tail. The 

 operation occupied less than twenty minutes. The parts were well cleansed by an affu- 

 sion of warm water, intestines returned, incision closed by twisted suture, and covered 

 with fine tow steeped in warm wine. A net was fixed round the body to support the 

 sutures. After the opei-ation was completed, the Cow got up and fed. The case termi- 

 nated favorably, and the animal was subsequently fattened for the butcher. 



21. Braga (Archivio di Medic. Vetertna7-ia, June, 1S76) was called in haste to attend a 

 Cow — a Primipara — which had been some time in labor, the " water-bag " having rup- 

 tured, and the fore-limbs of the foetus were presenting ; but nothing more was advanced. 

 Braga found the animal in tolerably satisfactory condition, but the vulva was twice its 

 normal size, and was partly emphysematous. The mucous membrane of the vaginal ves- 

 tibulum was of a deep red color, with small black points, showing advancing gangrene. 

 The fore-limbs protruded from the opening, and in such a manner that their posterior 

 surface was superior. An exploration of the vagina discovered the mucous membrane 

 of this part, as well as of the cervix uteri, to be greatly swollen and extremely hot ; while 

 it was also ascertained that the foetus was in the dorsal position — the sternum towards 

 the maternal sacrum, and the withers on the symphysis pubis, with the head and neck 

 deviated towards the back. Every attempt to adjust the position, or effect delivery, 

 failed — notwithstanding the use of the cords, crotchets, amputation of the head, etc. 



Although it was now late, gastro-hysterotomv was proposed to the owner, and the 

 operation was allowed. The Cow was laid on its right side, and the incision was made 

 at the liriea alha. When the uterus was opened, the back of the foetus was encountered, 

 and not being able to remove it in this position, nor yet change it without greatly enlarg- 

 ing the uterine wound, the hind-limbs were disarticulated at the stifle, and the remains 

 of the creature were at last extracted. The incision in the uterus was not closed, but 

 left to itself ; while that in the abdominal parietes was united by twisted suture ; a wide 

 bandage was applied round the body. A stimulant infusion was administered to the Cow, 

 and aromatic injections thrown into the vagina. The fever ran high, though there was 

 not much prostration; but towards the evening the proprietor became alarmed, and 

 fearing to lose the value of\he animal, he sent for the butcher and had it killed for food. 



22. Gohier {Mhnoires de Gohier, vol., ii. p. 40) mentions the case of a Ewe which had 

 been in labor for about twelve hours. The fore-feet of the lamb protruded three inches 

 beyond the vulva, and the head was bent back towards the withers. ' The foetus was 

 placed in a favorable position, but the most energetic traction only succeeded in tearing 

 away the fore-limbs. The Ccesarean section was then decided upon, and an incision, 

 about five inches in length, was made below the right flank ; the intestines were lifted 

 out, and the uterus exposed and cut into. The foetus was now extracted, and afterwards 

 the placenta. The intestines were replaced; the abdominal wound closed by quilled 

 suture ; a compress applied around the body, and several glasses of decoction of gentian 

 administered to the Sheep. Death occurred next day, and it was then discovered that 

 the iliu.ii was the seat of an old fracture which had become united, ; nd in doing so had 

 produced an oblique deformity of the pelvis. The head of the lamb had been arrested 

 and bent back against the callus, opposite the cotyloid cavity. 



23. Morange (D'Arboval. Dictio)in. de Med. Chiriiro-. etc., Veterinnire) furnishes the 

 case of a Cow which had gone beyond the ordinary period of gestation bv thirty-seven 

 days. The cervix uteri was altered in texture, and the os undilatable. The calf was 

 dead, and consequently gastro-hysterotomy was decided upon. When the abdominal 

 walls were cut into, an enormous quantity of reddish serum flowed therefrom. The foetus 

 was removed, as well as the placenta, and the wounds united by suture. After the next 

 day the appetite had returned ; but in fifteen days the owner,'thinking the animal was 

 suffering from hunger, inconsiderately gave it a large quantity of lucerne, and the Cow 

 soon died from indigestion. 



24. Chariot {Journal Prat, de Med. Veterinaire, 1826, p. 165) mentions a Cow which 



