6io ACCIDENTS INCIDENTAL TO PARTURITION. 



the fourth day the Cow appeared to be quite well, seeking food and ruminating, and on 

 the twelfth day it was cured. 



14. Ledru [Recueil de Med. Veterinaire, 1866, p. 115) returned the inverted uterus of 

 a Cow, and applied a truss. The owner removed the latter too soon, and inversion 

 again occurred ; but this time reposition was impossible. Amputation being decided 

 upon, a whipcord ligature was applied round the pedicle of the tumor, about two and a 

 half inches from the vulva ; there was some haemorrhage when the uterus was cut away 

 four or five minutes afterwards. For an hour the Cow was \'1*ry uneasy, but next morn- 

 ing it was tranquil, and in a few days gave its usual quantity of milk and quite recovered. 



15. Claverie [Journal des Vet. du Midi, i860, p. 535) reduced the inverted uterus of a 

 three-year-old Cow with great difficulty, and attempted to retain it by sutures in the- 

 vulva and a truss. All appeared to be going on favorably until the fourth day, when 

 the organ was again prolapsed, tearing away the sutures and the truss. Excision of the 

 uterus was considered the only means of saving the animal, and this was performed by 

 double ligature — the needle being passed through the middle of the pedicle ; the body 

 of the organ being amputated, the remainder was returned to the vagina. Much bleed- 

 ing ensued, and the part had to be withdrawn, another circular ligature applied, and the 

 hot iron used to close the bleeding vessels. Cooling lotions and charcoal were after- 

 wards CTnployed ; for ten days the animal was dull, and the secretion of milk and 

 appetite were diminished ; soon after this, however, it improved rapidly and completely 

 recovered. 



16. Turquet {Recueil de Med. Veterinaire, 1868, p. 20) relates a case of inversion in 

 which, from the great infiltration and gangrenous condition of the uterus, reduction was 

 impracticable ; so it was decided to amputate. The operation was performed by pass- 

 ing a cord about two yards in length, and with a piece of wood at each end, around the 

 uterus about two inches from the vulva — the Cow being held by two strong men ; while 

 two other assistants pulled at the ends of the cord, so as to tighten it gradually around 

 the tumor. Turquet kept^his finger on the knot, so as to judge of the amount of con- 

 striction, and finding after a minute or two that it was sufficient to stop the circulation, 

 the cord was firmly tied. 



There was scarcely any bleeding when the uterus was removed about two inches from 

 the ligature, and the latter disappeared within the vagina. The animal was extremely 

 uneasy, threw itself down, groaned and bellowed, and otherwise exhibited indications of 

 pain for about ten minutes. Next morning it was ruminating ; the ligature came away 

 in due course, the Cow suckled its calf and gave the usual quantity of milk, and in five 

 months afterwards was fatted. 



17. Schiiller {CEsterreich. Vierteljahress. fiir Wissenschaftliche Veierin&rknnde, 1858, 

 p. 17) appears to be one of the few veterinarians who has attempted amputation of the 

 uterus in the Mare. He was called to attend a seven-year-old Mare, which eight days 

 previously had given birth to a dead foal, and soon after suddenly inverted the uterus. 

 For eight days (!) was the swollen, gangrenous organ protruded, and when he saw it, the 

 mucous membrane was greatly infiltrated and sodden, and covered by a yellowish 

 exudation. The animal stood with its hind-legs wide apart, and looked dull and heavy ; 

 the pulse was 65 per minute, the respirations 25 to 30. It still fed, except during the 

 paroxysms of straining. No attempt was of course made to replace the uterus, and with 

 the owner's consent amputation was resolved on. A twitch was placed on the Mare's 

 nose, and a man placed at the head, while two others stood on each side to keep the 

 animal steady and to assist in the operation when necessary. The upper part of the 

 uterus, near to the vagina, was then freed from the discharge and exudation by means 

 of the finger and tepid water, and the mucous membrane exposed. A strong, well- 

 waxed ligature was tied round the pedicle, about two inches from the vulva, and the 

 uterus excised by a sharp bistoury about half an inch from this part. The haemorrhage 

 was unimportant, and the remains of the uterus disappeared in the vagina. A few sutures 

 were passed through the vulva, and a pledget of tow put over it and retained 

 by a bandage. Internal treatment was also resorted to. Next day the pulse was y^^ 

 and the respirations increased ; micturition and defecation were normal. The vulva 

 was greatly swollen, injected and hot. The straining was feeble, and only occurred at 

 long intervals. On the succeeding two days the Mare was livelier, the appetite was 

 better, and the straining had almost disappeared. The vulvar sutures had given way, 

 and the bandage was removed. A small quantity of unhealthy, dirty-brown colored 

 fluid escaped from the vulva. This was corrected by injections, and in three days the 

 discharge was healthy. In fourteen days after the operation the Mare was discharged 

 cured. 



18. Moens (Annales de Med. Veterinaire de Britxelles, 1866, p. 591) was less fortunate 

 with a Mare, six years old, which had the uterus inverted and hanging as low as its 

 hocks. The organ had a large rent in it, and a jet of arterial blood flowed in such 

 quantity that it was evident death must soon take place from haemorrhage. A ligature 



