INVERSION OF THE UTERUS. 



597 



below this : there being, in all, about four to six sutures, the ends of 

 each being tied in the middle, or fastened to bits of round wood at each 

 side. In this way, the vulva lies behind a number of strong cords — 

 their strength and durability being in proportion to the width of skin 

 they are made to enclose. . The sutures may be drawn more or less 

 tightly, and they may either be transversely parallel, or cross each other 

 obliquely. 



When the animal is not pregnant, the vulva is not nearly on a level 

 with the ischial tuberosities. After parturition, however, the vulva is 

 swollen and prominent, and stands beyond these parts. It will therefore 

 press against the hip sutures, and may even become excoriated or cut by 

 them ; so that, to avoid injury, and diffuse the pressure, it is well to 

 place a thick pledget of tow, or other soft material, on each side of the 

 vulva, on which the sutures may chiefly rest. 



Though good service has been obtained from these sutures, in a num- 

 ber of instances, yet many practitioners prefer the metallic suture. This 

 may be of lead, or iron wire softened. The needle is like that used for 

 the other sutures ; a pair of wire-pliers is necessary, and two sizes of wire 

 are recommended. The thickest size is cut into pieces of a convenient 



Fig. 199. 

 Zundel's Labial Sutures. 



length, and an eyelet turned at one end, while the other is made into a 

 hook. The left lip of the vulva is seized by the left hand, and the needle 

 pushed through it from the outside, a little obliquely upwards, so as to 

 bring it out above the superior commissure ; the wire is passed into the e3'e 

 at the point, and the needle being smartly withdrawn, the wire is pulled 

 through. The needle is introduced into the right lip in the same man- 

 ner but downwards, and the wire pulled through it. The hooked end is 

 now passed into the one with the eyelet, drawn sufficiently through, cut off, 

 and the end bent also into an eyelet, the suture constituting an ellipse 

 at this part, which is opposite the vulvar opening. Beneath this suture, 

 one or two more are placed, and all are joined together by the thinner 

 wire, which, doubled, is longer than the space occupied by the sutures ; 

 each piece is passed into each eyelet of the upper suture, and firmly 

 crossed and twisted as far as the two points of the suture ; the same is 

 done with the second and the third suture — the whole being joined into 

 a solid piece, which, according to report, does not interfere with the 

 phvsiological functions of the animal. 



The same objection applies to w4re sutures through the vulva, as to 

 vegetable sutures ; and there can be no doubt that they are less painful 



