102 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



entire surface. When the uterus has become much swollen and con- 

 gested it will be necessary to effect a reduction in its size before it can 

 be returned. To do this the surface of the mucous membrane will 

 require to be scarified, i.e. be pricked here and there at numerous points 

 with the point of a clean lancet or knife and then fomented with warm 

 carbolized water. 



In commencing to put it back, that part of the organ nearest to the 

 vaginal opening should first be pushed inward, and the part next succeed- 

 ing should follow until a considerable portion has been replaced. Then, 

 while it is still supported in position, the doubled fist should be placed 

 against the extreme end of the extruded part, and by careful, gentle, and 

 continued pressure the whole returned to its. place. In order to obtain all 

 the available room possible for this purpose the rectum should be emptied 

 of faeces before return is attempted. 



On completion of the operation the mare will be benefited by a full 

 dose of tincture of opium to check straining, after which she may be placed 

 in a stall with the hind-legs underpacked with litter so as to elevate the 

 hind parts, and a truss should be adjusted to the vaginal outlet in such a 

 way as to prevent the escape of the viscus again. 



CYSTIC DISEASE OF THE OVARY 



Cystic disease of the ovary is by no means of seldom occurrence in the 

 mare, and is no doubt the cause of many cases of sterility in this animal 

 which may occur at any period of sexual activity. 



Cystic disease may appear either as a simple dropsical dilatation of the 

 Graafian vesicle or in the form of proliferous cysts. Of these two varieties 

 the former is by far the most commonly met with, while the latter is most 

 frequently the cause of dropsy of the ovary which gives so much trouble to 

 the human female. 



In some cases the disease confines itself to one cyst, which by enlarging 

 and spreading may cause absorption of the entire organ. 



In other instances two or more cysts, varying in number in different 

 cases, develop, and in the course of their expansion are brought together, 

 and by the forcible action and reaction of their walls one upon another 

 cause the partitions to be broken down and the cavities to become con- 

 tinuous. In these cases the fusion of the cysts is generally shown by the 

 irregularly chambered cavity which results. The whole of the ovary may 

 thus be caused to disappear, leaving in its place a large irregular cyst. 

 The contents of these formations is, for the most part, a thin, transparent, 

 watery fluid containing a small quantity of albumen. 



