460 SUKGICAL DISEASES. 



ever, she was sick and breathed heavily, and continued rather un- 

 easy all the day. 



' On the forenoon of the following day I was requested to see 

 her. I found her with her nose dry, breath hot, respiration fre- 

 quent, mouth hot and parched, coat staring, back reached, pulse 

 120, and a black fetid discharge from the vagina. Pressure on 

 the abdomen gave pain. A pup could be obscurely felt ; the 

 secretion of milk was suppressed, and the skin had lost its natural 

 elasticity. 



' Tepid water with a little soap dissolved in it was immediately 

 injected into the uterus, which in a considerable degree excited its 

 action ; and this injection was repeated two or three times with the 

 same effect. 



' After waiting for half an hour, the foetus was not discharged 

 nor brought forward ; therefore a scruple of the ergot of rye was 

 then made into an infusion with two ounces of water, and one 

 third of it given as a dose ; in half an hour another one third of it ; 

 the injections of warm water and soap being also continued. Soon 

 after the second dose of the infusion, a dead puppy was expelled ; 

 the bitch rapidly recovered, and, with the exception of deficiency 

 of milk, is now quite well. 



' This case would seem to prove the great power of the ergot of 

 rye over the uterus ; but, until more experiments are made, it is 

 necessary to be cautious in ascribing powers to medicines which 

 have not been much tried in our practice. It is not improbable 

 that the warm water and soap might have roused the uterus into 

 action without the aid of the ergot ; and it is therefore necessary 



