468 VETERINARY LECTURES 



794. Rupture of the Womb (mostly seen in the mare). — This 

 may occur from the strong labour pains of the mare, forcing the foot 

 of the foetus through the walls ; or the womb may be torn and 

 ruptured in manipulating a malpresentation of the foetus, when the 

 bowels of the parent sometimes protrude. These cases are usually 

 fatal. Again, one of the fore- feet of the feet us may be so forced 

 through the roof of the womb and the floor of the rectum as to come 

 out at the anus ; or the anus and vulva from the same cause may be 

 made into one common opening. Extensive sloughing usually takes 

 place in these cases (pay. 32). 



795. Eversion of the Uterus (Womb Turned Inside Out). — This 

 is not of very frequent occurrence in the mare, but often happens in 

 the cow, ewe, and sow. When it happens in the mare, if the animal 

 is in a standing position, immediately the womb is in sight, every 

 care should be taken to keep her on her feet. The womb must then 

 be supported by a large table-cloth, held by two assistants, one on 

 each side, and the patient led on to a good incline, with its hind-feet 

 on the top, and for this purpose a manure heap answers well. An 

 attendant should stand by with a jug, pouring warm water and milk 

 continuously over the everted organ, and attempts must be made to 

 return it as quickly, yet as carefully as possible. If the patient is 

 lying, it should be kept down and its legs tied, for if it makes an 

 effort to get up, the weight of the everted organ drags the animal 

 back on to its hips, and the womb is in great danger of being burst, 

 or so damaged that the patient rapidly bleeds to death. Before 

 attempting reduction the uterus must be lifted, by means of a large 

 cloth, into a vessel containing warm water and milk ; the hind- 

 quarters of the mare should be elevated by means of pulleys, and 

 bags of chaff or bundles of straw packed under the quarter ; the 

 neck of the uterus must then be pressed back, and the body carefully 

 kneaded in, particularly at its lower side. As soon as the body of the 

 organ is within the pelvic bones, the hand must be placed on the 

 everted end of the horn of the womb, and pressed gently forward, 

 thus returning the horn to its proper position. If the point of the 

 horn is not properly returned the whole uterus is soon expelled again. 



