238 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



absence of straining. The straining may be checked by 2 or 3 ounces 

 of laudanum, or 2 ounces of choral hydrate, or by inhalation of chloro- 

 form to insensibility, and then by raising the hind parts on straw bun- 

 dles the gravitation of the abdominal organs forward may be made to 

 lessen the resistance. If success can not be had in this way the cow 

 may be further turned on her back, and if return is still impossible, the 

 hind limbs may be tied together and drawn up to a beam overhead by 

 the aid of a pulley. In this position, in place of the pressure backward 

 of the bowels proving a hindrance, their gravitation forward proves a 

 most material help to reduction. In seeking to return the womb the 

 sponging with ice-cold water, the raising on a sheet and the wrapping 

 in a tight bandage should be resorted to. Another method which is 

 especially commendable in these inflamed conditions of the womb is to 

 bring a piece of linen sheet 30 inches by 36 under the womb with its 

 anterior border close up to the vulva, then turn the posterior border 

 upward and forward over the organ, and cross the two ends over this, 

 and over each other above. The ends of the sheet are steadily drawn 

 so as to tighten its hold on the womb, which is thus held on the level 

 of the vulva or above, and cold water is constantly poured upon the 

 mass. The reduction is further sought by compression of the mass 

 -vith the palms applied outside the sheet. Fifteen or twenty minutes 

 are usually sufficient to cause the return of the womb, provided strain- 

 ing is prevented by pinching of the back or otherwise. 



In old and aggravated cases, with the womb torn, bruised, or even 

 gangrenous, the only resort is to amputate the entire mass. This is 

 done by tying a strong waxed cord round the protruding mass close up 

 to the vulva, winding the cord round pieces of wood so as to draw them 

 as tightly as possible, cutting off the organ below this ligature, tying a 

 thread on any artery that may still bleed, and returning the stump well 

 into the vagina. 



Retention of the returned womb is the next point, and this is most 

 easily accomplished by a rope truss. Take two ropes, each about 18 

 feet long and an inch in thickness. Double each rope at its middle, 

 and lay the one above the other at the bend so as to form an ovoid of 

 about 8 inches in its long diameter. Twist each end of the one rope 

 twice round the other so that this ovoid will remain when they are 

 drawn tight. (Plates xxn and xxin.) Tie a strap or rope around the 

 back part of the neck and a surcingle around the body. Place the rope 

 truss on the animal so that the ovoid ring shall surround the vulva, 

 the two ascending ropes on the right and left of the tail and the two 

 descending ones down inside the thighs on the right and left of the 

 udder. These descending ropes are carried forward on the sides of the 

 body and tied to the surcingle and to the neck collar. The ascending 

 ropes proceed forward on the middle of the back, twisting over each 

 other, and are tied to the surcingle and collar. The upper and lower 

 ropes are drawn so tightly that the rope ring is made to press nrnJy 



