INVERSION OF THE VAGINA. 6ii 



was therefore at once applied around the cervix, and with the aid of several persons abla- 

 tion was effected. The Mare died two days afterwards. 



19. The same authority {Ibid.) practised the operation on a Cow soon after this un- 

 fortunate case, and with the greatest success. In all, he had operated on eighteen Cows, 

 without a fatal case ; and he is of opinion that total ablation of the uterus in this animal 

 is incontestably more benignant than reposition. He remarks on the ease with which 

 it can be executed, and that it requires no special dexterity : all that is needed is a strong 

 ligature applied as close as possible to the vulva, and firmly tied round the part ; the 

 organ being cut off about two fingers' breadth from the ligature. A little straining 

 often occurs afterwards, but rarely any thing more serious. 



20. De Ceuster [Ibid., p. 588), in attempting to reduce the inverted uterus of a Cow, 

 ruptured the organ almost unconsciously — its texture was so soft and friable. Ampu- 

 tation was decided upon. The opening was enlarged to discover if the sac contained 

 intestines. A strong suture {forte suture) was placed at the base of the organ, close to 

 the vulva, and in half-an-hour, when the uterus had become cold, it was amputated 

 about two inches from the vulva, and the ligatured end returned. The following day 

 there were a few expulsive efforts, and for twelve days a foul-smelling fluid was dis- 

 charged from the vulva. Tar-water was injected. The animal fed well immediately 

 after the operation, and gave an abundance of milk. 



De Ceuster is of opinion that the obstetrist should not hesitate in resorting to ampu- 

 tation of the inverted uterus when he cannot return it, or when it is so damaged that, if 

 returned, the animal's life may be endangered. 



Van-Hacken [Ibid., 1863, p. 259), Sulmon, and De Meester {Ibid., 1877, p. 158) record 

 successful cases of ablation of the uterus in the Cow. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Inversion of the Vagina — Inversio Vaginae. 



Inversion., procidence, prolapsus, or fall of the vagina., is a hernia of this 

 part through the vulvar opening, analogous to that of the uterus, and with 

 which it may be complicated when inversion of the latter is extreme ; 

 though in this case it does not add to the symptomatology or gravity of 

 the accident. 



The accident may occur in other than pregnant or parturient animals, 

 though rarely; it may also take place during gestation, particularly 

 towards the termination of that condition, when the gravid uterus pushes 

 it outwards. Most frequently, however, it is witnessed after parturition, 

 and particularly when delivery has been difficult and protracted, and 

 especially when force has been necessary to extract the foetus, and Uie 

 expulsive efforts were severe. 



It often occurs when the " waters " have escaped for some time, and 

 the young creature, lodged in the genital canal, is extracted without the 

 precaution of lubrication. Its progress through the dry, tenacious 

 passage causes the mucous membrane of the vagina to gather in ridges 

 and folds ; the connective tissue beneath is torn, and this leads to inver- 

 sion, which may occur immediately, along with the exit of the foetus, or 

 when the animal afterwards strains — sometimes so long as four, six, or 

 eight days subsequent to parturition. 



Fatigue, such as that induced by travelling, or severe exertion, imme- 

 diately or soon after calving, or keeping the animal in a stall, the floor 

 of which slopes too much backwards, are also likely to produce the acci- 

 dent. It may also take place after abortion, and retention of the placenta. 



When inversion of the vagina occurs without that of the uterus, the 

 latter is propelled backwards by the contractions of the abdominal 

 muscles, pushing before it the walls of that canal until it has extruded 



