592 ACCIDENTS INCIDENTAL TO PARTURITION. 



When the uterus has been returned to the abdominal cavity, the oper- 

 ator has then to ascertain if it is properly disposed. It sometimes hap- 

 pens that the extremity of one or other of the cornua remains invaginated 

 in itself to a certain extent, and thus renders reduction incomplete ; this 

 will undoubtedly induce renewed straining, and in all probability bring 

 about reinversion. It is, therefore, essential that the hand of the operator 

 should carefully examine every part of the interior of the uterus and 

 the genital canal, and particularly around the cervix. 



This is more especially necessary when, after reposition has been 

 effected, straining continues — a sure indication that the parts are not in 

 their normal position. The hand must then be again introduced, and if 

 any abnormal folds of the mucous membrane — any commencing invagi- 

 nation — is encountered, this must be gently smoothed down, or adjusted, 

 and replaced — not forgetting, should ' the cornua be involved, the very 

 dissimilar disposition of these in the Mare and Cow. 



When reposition has been finally accomplished, the straining ceases, and 

 the animal soon appears to be quite easy : that is, if reduction is made 

 early — on the same day, for instance — and provided there is no injury to 

 the organ. It is generally advisable to keep the hand in the uterus for 

 a short time until the latter begins to contract freely ; if this is not done, 

 the flaccid organ may again become inverted. 



With the smaller animals, reposition is rendered difficult, because of the 

 small pelvis not admitting the hand ; and with some, and particularly the 

 Sow, reduction of the prolapsed cornu or cornua is often a serious mat- 

 ter. The cornua must be reduced in the manner already indicated, the 

 finger, or even a tallow candle, being employed to replace them, then the 

 body of the organ should follow; a small pessary with a handle or retro- 

 verter, may be used to complete the operation. Frick, a Swiss veterina- 

 rian {Sc/iweizer Archiev.^ vol. xii., p. 249), has adopted a plan which has 

 succeeded in his hands, and also with other obstetrists who have tried it. 

 The inverted organ being reduced, the animal is raised by the hind limbs, 

 and a quantity of mucilaginous fluid is injected into the vagiha and 

 uterus, until they are filled. This fluid acts in a mechanical manner, 

 forcing the uterus to distend and assume its ordinary form. 



In some cases, when reduction is attempted, the animal continues to 

 strain so violently that it is almost impossible to operate, notwithstanding 

 the adoption of the measures already recommended. 



In these cases bleeding has been advised and practised, but not always 

 with success ; if the animal is not strong, it may do positive harm. Opium 

 is not always a soothing remedy for ruminants, and if given in narcotic 

 doses may lead to mischief. Ether has been employed to produce in- 

 complete anaesthesia in the Mare, so as to diminish the expulsive efforts, 

 and with success. Andelfinger, Rueff, and Baumeister, as well as Saint- 

 Cyr, recommend this partial anaesthesia. 



Van Dommelen, a Dutch veterinary surgeon, gives the preference to a 

 very strong dose of alcohol, so as to produce semi-narcosis. He has em- 

 ployed it in a great number of instances of inversion of the uterus in 

 which there was violent straining, and has never observed any accident. 



Chloral hydrate, either in draught or enema, should be found an excel- 

 lent agent in such cases, as well as the subcutaneous injection of acetate 

 of morphia. The injection of dilute tincture of opium into the uterus may 

 also be found beneficial. 



It must not be forgotten that a tight surcingle round the chest or abdo- 



