132 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



sion of bones, and the attending veterinarian detects on exam- 

 ination the status quo, his first duty consists in the removal of 

 all foreign bodies from the vagina or uterus. In most cases 

 the purulent flow persists for a time, gradually decreases, 

 becomes mucous and finally ceases. Irrigations of the uterus 

 with a 2 per cent, alum solution are indicated. A subcutaneous 

 injection of ergot (extracti secalis cornuti, 5.0 ; glycerini et aq. 

 ana, 5.0) should be given to stimulate uterine contractions. 



3. — Anomalies in the Umbilical Cord. 



Anomalies of the funis have been investigated but little in 

 the cow. It probably occurs more frequently than is generally 

 accepted. In many a case death of the foetus may be caused by 

 it, although not detected. 



The accumulation of Whartonian gelatine on the funis, the 

 so-called false knots which are frequently seen in man, while 

 ot little importance, I have never been able to find in a great 

 number of foetuses examined with that view ; the true knots of 

 the umbilical cord, produced by a rotation of the foetus around 

 the transverse axis, have also not been observed in our domestic 

 animals. 



They are credited with causing death and early expulsion 

 of the foetus. Spontaneous amputation of an extremity from 

 constriction of a part by the umbilical cord is very rare (G. 

 Sand and Nocard). 



How far varicose umbilical veins are concerned in the pro- 

 duction of serious hemorrhages is not yet decided in the cow. 

 Further observations along this line are desirable. 



Of greater importance in obstetrics are : 



4. — Diseases of the Placenta. 



The different anatomical arrangement of the placenta <>f 



the cow is the cause that the disturbances of this organ are 

 quite different from those of animals with a diffused placenta. 

 Here diseased states concern mostly single cotyledons, so that 

 any disturbances which would arise from morbid changes in 



