Inversion of the Uterus 841 



The efficiency of sutures in preventing a recurrence of prolapse 

 of the uterus is high, but not perfect. In our experience, if the 

 straining of the animal is very violent, the sutures are ineffective 

 and are promptly torn out by the great force applied by the 

 animal. When there is little or no straining, they remain in 

 position, and are effectiv^e; at least the prolapse does not recur. 

 Perhaps this is partly because the sutures do not readily permit 

 it, but largely because the animal does not strain. This especially 

 applies to the sutures through the lips of the vulva, which we 

 have seen torn out very promptly, especially in the mare, under 

 violent straining. The labial sutures have the further disad- 



FiG. 139b. RoPK Truss of Raixard. (de Bruin.) 



vantage that they produce wounds in the birth canal at a time 

 when it is highly susceptible to infection, which may readily 

 extend deeper and constitute a menace to the uterus itself. 



It is claimed that the hip sutures have a much higher efficiency 

 in preventing the prolapse of the organ, and they certainly are 

 highly superior from the standpoint of danger of causing infection 

 to the uterus. The sutures necessarily cause pain, and suture 

 infection inevitably ensues. It must consequently be confessed 

 that sutures, like the pessary, have objections, although not the 

 same in each case. 



The bandage or truss constitutes a third method for retaining 

 the uterus. These appliances consist essentially of some apparatus 



