236 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



the dashing of cold water on the loins, right flank, and vulva, and if 

 these measures fail, the injection of cold water into the womb through 

 a rubber tube furnished with a funnel. In obstinate cases a good- 

 sized sponge soaked in tincture of muriate of iron should be introduced 

 into the womb and firmly squeezed, so as to bring the iron in contact 

 with the bleeding surface. This is at once an astringent and a coagu- 

 lant for the blood, besides stimulating the womb to contraction. In 

 the absence of this agent, astringents (solution of copperas, alum, 

 tannic acid, or acetate of lead), may be thrown into the womb, and one- 

 half-dram doses of acetate of lead may be given by the mouth, or 1 

 ounce powdered ergot of rye may be given in gruel. When nothing 

 else is at hand, an injection of oil of turpentine will sometimes promptly 

 check the bleeding. 



EVERSION OF THE WOMB CASTING THE WITHERS. 



% % 



Like flooding, this is the result of failure of the womb to contract 

 after calving. If that organ contracts naturally, the afterbirth is 

 expelled, the internal cavity of the womb is nearly closed, and the 

 mouth of the organ becomes so narrow that the hand can not be forced 

 through, much less the whole mass of the matrix. When, however, it 

 fails to contract, the closed end of one of the horns may fall into its open 

 internal cavity, and under the compression of the adjacent intestines, 

 and the straining and contraction of the abdominal walls, it is forced far- 

 ther and farther until the whole organ is turned outside in, slides back 

 through the vagina, and hangs from the vulva. The womb can be 

 instantly distinguished from the protruding vagina or bladder by the 

 presence over its whole surface of 50 to 100 mushroom-like bodies 

 (cotyledons), each 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and attached by a narrow 

 neck. (Plates xn, xin.) When fully everted it is further recognizable 

 by a large, undivided body hanging from the vulva, and two horns or 

 divisions which hang down toward the hocks. In the imperfect ever- 

 eions the body of the womb may be present with two depressions lead- 

 ing into the two horns. In the cases of some standing the organ has 

 become inflamed and gorged with blood until it is as large as a bushel 

 basket, and its surface has a dark, red, blood-like hue, and tears and 

 bleeds on the slightest touch. Still later lacerations, raw sores, and 

 even gangrene are shown in the mass. At the moment of protrusion 

 the general health is not altered, but soon the inflammation and fever 

 with the violent and continued straining induce exhaustion, and the cow 

 lies down, making no attempt to rise. - 



Treatment will vary somewhat, according to the degree of the ever- 

 sion. In partial eversiou, with the womb protruding only slightly from 

 the vulva and the cow standing, let an assistant pinch the back to 

 prevent straining while the operator pushes his closed fist into the cen- 

 ter of the mass and carries it back through the vagina, assisting in 

 returning the surrounding parts by the other hand. In more complete 



