DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 397 



congestion or laceration. If the blood accumulates in the 

 flaccid womb the condition may only be suspected by reason 

 of the rapidly advancing- weakness, swaying, unsteady gait, 

 hanging head, paleness of the eyes and other mucous mem- 

 branes, and weak, small, failing pulse. The hand introduced 

 into the womb detects the presence of the blood partly clotted. 

 If the blood escapes by the vulva the condition is evident. 



Treatment consists in evacuating the womb of its blood 

 clots, giving a large dose of powdered ergot of rye, and in 

 the application of cold water or ice to the loins and external 

 generative organs. Besides this a sponge impregnated with 

 a strong solution of alum, or still better with tincture of 

 muriate of iron, may be introduced into the womb and 

 squeezed so as to bring the liquid in contact with the walls 

 generally. 



EVERSION OF THE WOMB. 



If the womb fails to contract after difficult parturition the 

 after-pains will sometimes lead to the fundus passing into the 

 body of the organ and passing through that and the vagina 

 until the whole inverted organ appears externally and hangs 

 down on the thighs. The result is rapid engorgement and 

 swelling of the organ, impaction of the rectum with faeces, 

 and distention of the bladder with urine, all of which con- 

 ditions seriously interfere with the return of the mass. In 

 returning the womb the standing is preferable to the recum- 

 bent position, as the abdomen is more pendant and there is 

 less obstruction to the return. It may, however, be necessary 

 to put hobbles on the hind limbs to prevent the mare from 

 kicking. A clean sheet should be held beneath the womb 

 and all fLth, straw and foreign bodies washed from its sur- 

 face. Then with a broad, elastic (india-rubber) band, or in 

 default of that a long strip of calico four or five inches wide, 

 wind the womb as tightly as possible, beginning at its most 

 dependent part (the extremity of the horn). This serves 

 two good ends. It squeezes out into the general circulation 

 the enormous mass of blood which engorged and enlarged 

 the organ and furnishes a strong protective covering for the 

 now delicate friable organ, through which it may be safely 

 manipulated without danger of laceration. The next 



