462 VETERINARY LECTURES 



way up, a distinct corded thickening is felt on the lower part of the 

 passage, running from right to left, or vice versa, resembling half a 

 screw. After passing the hand over the screw-like parts a pouch is 

 found just in front of the neck of the womb (os uteri). On reaching 

 the womb the foetus may be felt. If lying in the position represented 

 in the figure, the head and feet must be secured with ropes and hooks, 

 brought gently forward, and jammed as far into the passage as 

 possible. In some cases, when this is done, the animal drops 

 suddenly on to its side, and thus undoes the partial twist, the result 

 being ready delivery. In other cases the patient has to be cast and 

 rolled : if the twist is to the left, the operator must get a firm hold 

 of the fcetus and press it to the right, or vice versa, when the animal is 

 directly on its back ; then, steady traction being put on the ropes, the 

 uterus may suddenly right itself, and delivery be accomplished. 



785. Constriction of the Os Uteri, in the cow, is known in 

 Cumberland as ' horny Iyer.' On introducing the hand, the neck of 

 the womb is found closed up, is very hard, and will only admit of 

 one finger ; when the pains are very strong, a good dose of opium 

 (2 or 3 drachms suspended in hot water), or from 6 to 8 drachms chloral 

 hydrate should be given, while the os uteri ought to be smeared with 

 a drachm of extract of belladonna; the patient should be kept 

 perfectly quiet and left alone, when in the course of from twelve to 

 twenty-four hours it may calve all right. Sometimes a cartilaginous 

 ring round the neck of the womb is met with, through which the 

 hand cannot be passed ; this ring has a kind of flange, from about 

 J to 1 inch in breadth, and about \ to \ of an inch in thickness. This 

 must be cut on the upper portion, and also on each side, Smear well 

 with extract of belladonna, give a good sedative (opium or chloral), 

 and wait patiently. But sometimes relaxation does not take place, 

 when delivery has to be attempted by cording the feet and head, 

 and pulling them into the passage, and by taking plenty of time 

 and care extraction may be accomplished. 



786. The Caesarean Section is the opening into the side or the 

 belly of the parent, and removing the foetus. This operation may be 

 performed where the offspring is alive and of more value than the 



