580 ACCIDENTS INCIDENTAL TO PARTURITION 



injections of decoction of willow bark. The following day nothing amiss was observed, 

 and some months later the Mare was sold. 



6. Vernant [Rec. de Med. Vet., 1872, p. 523), in 1867, was called to attend a Mare 

 which had foaled during the night, and had lost an enormous quantity of blood per 

 vulvam. The owner had removed the placenta, by pulling at the portion hanging out 

 of the vulva, and the bleeding, immediately ensued. Though no time was lost in attend- 

 ing the Mare, the distance Wing very short, when Vernant arrived the animal was 

 dead. 



7. Vernant (/<J;^.) relates an exactly similar case which occurred in his practice in 

 1872, and which was also due to removing the placenta artificially from a Mare after a 

 normal delivery. 



8. Anderson ( Veterinarian, 1844, p. 357) attended a Mare which, while in foal, had 

 fallen into a saw-pit, and this accident brought on labor; inversion of the uterus imme- 

 diately followed the expulsion of the foetus, and the animal died/rom haemorrhage. 



9. Mayer {Ibid., vol. xvi., p, 45) gives an instance — almost exceptional, we believe — 

 of bleeding from the funis umbilicalis after calving. The subject was a valuable young 

 Cow, " of full plethoric habit," which had been rather uneasy during parturition. " The 

 consequence was, that after the foetus was expelled there were two or three quarts of 

 blood poured out from the cord; but, as sometimes happens, the parties did not take the 

 proper alarm, until the blood kept issuing from time to time in such quantities as to en- 

 danger the animal's life ; they then sought for assistance, but before it could be rendered, 

 the animal was dead." 



10. Mayhew {Ibid., vol. xxi., p. 559) had under treatment a small terrier Bitch, which 

 had been for some hours in labor. Two dead puppies and a living one were extracted. 

 The animal was greatly exhausted, and while a stimulant was being administered a 

 stream of bright arterial blood was observed fiowinc; from the vagina. " The haemor- 

 rhage gradually increased, and the Bitch raising itself, began to show symptoms of deli- 

 rium. The case looked desperate, and,> concluding that the bleeding was proceeding 

 from the uterus, which, in consequence of the enfeebled condition of the animal, had not 

 power to contract. I resolved to resort to the injection of cold water. Half an ounce of 

 the tincture of galls was mixed with a quart of water ; but not more than the third of a 

 pint was injected, before a sharp but low cry informed me that the agent had done its 

 work. No more was injected ; but the haemorrhage ceased, and the Bitch seemed re- 

 freshed." It recovered. 



11. Cox {Ibid., vol. xxvii., p. 16) reports the Case of a Cow which, showing symptoms 

 of calving the previous day, the owner examined it and found the calf in a wrong posi- 

 tion, but with the help of a neighbor contrived to accomplish delivery. From that time 

 the Cow became unwell, refusing all food, etc. Cox found the pulse quick and weak ; 

 the mucous membranes blanched ; breathing quick and laborious ; constipation ; limbs 

 cold and nose dry. Suspecting rupture of the uterus, he introduced his arm, and al- 

 though very little blood had been discharged, the case was discovered to be one of 

 "flooding," the uterus being full of coagulated blood; the Cow was evidently sinking. 

 A sponge, impregnated with acetic acid and tincture of opium mixed, was passed into 

 the uterus; stimulants were administered, with plenty of gruel; and cold water was 

 constantly applied to the loins, vulva, etc. The animal recovered. There was no 

 straining until the arm was passed into the uterus, and in all probability this stimulus to 

 contraction was the principal factor in suppressing the haemorrhage. 



12. Sarginson {Ibid., vol. xxx., p. 329) alludes to a Cow which was brutally maltreated 

 by an empiric, who forcibly dilated the os uteri, and tore away a calf, which soon after 

 died. Profuse haemorrhage commenced immediately, "the blood fairly spouting out."| 

 The placenta had been extracted along with the calf. The os uteri and vagina were| 

 lacerated to some extent ; the Cow was sinking from loss of blood. Cold water W3 

 continually applied to the loins for many hours, and dilute sulphuric acid given internally., 

 This checked the haemorrhage, and stimulants and tonics, with good food, being allowed,| 

 the animal in seven days was convalescent. 



13. 14. King [Ibid., vol. xlii., p. 157) gives a description of two cases of post partunA 

 uterine haemorrhage in the Cow, in which he succeeded in suppressing the bleeding bj 

 slowly injecting cold water into the uterus. By furnishing himself with two bladders 

 and holding each in succession — when filled with water — in contact with the large end of 

 the pipe of an ordinary clyster syringe, and pressing the bladder with the other hand, hel 

 was enabled to introduce the fluid very gradually and with little force. Three gallons of^ 

 water were thus injected. The animals were freely supplied with stimulants at ii 

 tervals. 



15. Cox {Veterinary ymirnal, March, 1877) delivered a Cow of its calf without diffi- 

 culty ; the placenta followed, and every thing appeared to be well until soon after, when| 

 it was reported that the animal was - " parting with great quantities of blood. Thisf 

 proved to be the case ; it was discharged in volume equal to an ordinary pump spout.! 



