Examination of Female Genital Organs 81 



metatarsus, and a half hitch taken about the other. Two or 

 three strong men may then draw regularly and firmly upon 

 the rope, gradually stretching the animal until she finally 

 falls upon her side. The process is rendered easier by apply- 

 ing a second rope to the anterior feet and having a man 

 stretch these forward, but the cow may then fall harder and 

 should be guarded against injury by an ample bed. The 

 ropes drawing upon the metatarsi or metacarpi may cause 

 pressure injuries unless the precaution is taken to pad the 

 parts beneath the rope, which is conveniently done usually 

 by wrapping the part with a grain sack before applying the 

 rope. Finally the rope on the hind feet is to be secured to 

 the rear post and that on the fore feet to the front post. The 

 operator may now proceed deliberately, conveniently, and 

 safely with his examination. The examination of the recum- 

 bent heifer thus secured is easier and safer. In the well- 

 behaved heifer the advantage of securing in lateral recum- 

 bency is more than counterbalanced by the time and labor 

 of securing and the peril of casting injuries. I have found 

 it necessary to secure a heifer in lateral recumbency three 

 or four times in succession for examination or treatment, 

 until finally she yields and stands without resistance. 



The preparation of a special stall or stanchion into which 

 all cows in an establishment may be led for examination is a 

 great convenience. In some herds a sort of movable stocks, 

 somewhat like a shipping crate, is prepared, which can be 

 placed anywhere according to light or other convenience, or 

 moved from one stable to another. 



The ready introduction of the hand into the vulva or rec- 

 tum requires some form of lubrication. As a rule, the best 

 is a warm salt solution of approximately 0.7 to 1 per cent. 

 Many veterinarians resort to soap as a lubricant, but this is 

 undesirable because even very weak soapsuds almost inevi- 

 tably irritates both the rectal and the vaginal mucosa and 

 causes tenesmus — the worst foe with which the examiner 

 must contend. The addition of antiseptics to the water is 

 much worse than the use of soap. No antiseptic can be used 

 of such strength as to produce even very feeble disinfection 



