Eversion of the Uterus 825 



In all cases, a careful examination reveals the exact character 

 of the accident, by the fact that the protruding organ is continu- 

 ous with the vulva and vagina. When the eversion is extensive 

 and complete, it forms a characteristic tumor, varying in its ap- 

 pearance somewhat according to species. In the mare and cow it 

 constitutes an immense pear-shaped tumor, which, when the 

 animal is standing, hangs down to the neighborhood of the 

 tarsus. The mucous surface has become external, and capillary 

 hemorrhage occurs upon its surface. Litter and other foreign 

 substances may be adherent to its exterior. 



If the eversion has existed for a considerable period of time, 

 the organ becomes dark, and occasionally covered with an exu- 

 date, or, if it is of very long standing, with pus. It may be badly 

 torn and abraded, or even gangrenous. 



The position of the uterus causes an intense mechanical con- 

 gestion and an enormous increase in size. 



The general symptoms are by no means uniform, and one will 

 occasionally observe a cow, with her uterus quite completely 

 prolapsed, grazing or ruminating almost as though nothing had 

 occurred. In some instances the condition produces such de- 

 bility that the animal is unable to rise ; or perhaps in more cases 

 it might be said that prolapse of the uterus frequently occurs in 

 animals which are so weak that this additional disturbance 

 weakens them to such a degree that they can no longer rise. 

 In other cases the animal is recumbent because the displacement 

 constitutes one of the symptoms of parturient paresis, and not 

 becau.se of the presence of the prolapsed organ. When gangrene 

 of the organ occurs, the extreme debility and collapse from the 

 septicaemia may bring about a paralysis which prevents the 

 animal from standing. 



The symptoms may be modified and complicated by the rela- 

 tions of neighboring organs, which tend also to become displaced. 

 The vagina has necessarily been involved in each case of com- 

 plete prolap.se, and even the vulva is involved to a degree because 

 of the great weight of the protruding organ dragging upon it, so 

 that in many cases in the mare or cow, if the hand is inserted 

 into the vulva, it can scarcely reach the boundary line of the 

 vagina until it comes in contact with the recurved wall of the 

 prolapsed organ. Naturally the bladder and rectum are more 



