240 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



with a hypodermic needle a straw-colored liquid of an urinous odor 

 flows out. The condition has been considered as past hope. The only 

 chance for recovery would be in opening the abdomen, evacuating the 

 liquid, and stitching up the rent in the bladder, but at such a season 

 and with inflammation already started there would be little to hope for. 



RUPTURE OF THE WOMB. 



When the womb has been rendered friable by disease this may occur 

 in the course of the labor, but much more frequently it occurs from vio- 

 lence sustained in attempting assistance in difficult parturition. It is 

 also liable to occur during eversion of the organ through efforts to 

 replace it. 



If it happens while the calf is still in the womb, it will usually bleed 

 freely and continuously until the fetus has been extracted, so that the 

 womb can contract on itself and expel its excess of blood. Another 

 danger is that in case of a large rent the calf may escape into the cav- 

 ity of the abdomen and parturition become impossible. Still another 

 danger is that of the introduction of septic germs and the setting up of 

 a fatal inflammation of the lining membrane of the belly (peritoneum). 

 Still another is the escape of the small intestine through the rent and 

 on through the vagina and vulva, so as to protrude externally and 

 receive perhaps fatal injuries. In case of rupture before calving, that 

 act should be completed as rapidly and carefully as possible, the fetal 

 membranes removed and the contraction of the womb sought by dash- 

 ing cold water on the loins, the right flank, or the vulva. If the calf 

 has escaped into the abdomen and can not be brought through the 

 natural channels it may be permissible to fix the animal and extract 

 it through the side, as in the Ca?sarian section. If the laceration has 

 happened during eversion of the womb it is usually less redoubtable, 

 because the womb contracts more readily under the stimulus of the 

 cold air so recently applied. In case the abdomen has been laid open 

 it is well to stitch up the rent, but if not it should be left to nature, and 

 will often heal satisfactorily, the cow even breeding successfully in after 

 years. 



LACERATIONS 'AND RUPTURES OF THE VAGINA. 



Eupture of the floor of the vagina has been already referred to as 

 allowing the protrusion of the bladder. Laceration of the roof of this 

 passage is also met Avith as the result of deviations of the hind limbs 

 and feet upward when the calf lies on its back. In some such cases the 

 opening passes clear into the rectum, or the foot may even pass out 

 through the anus, so that that opening and the vulva are laid open into 

 one. 



Simple superficial lacerations of the vaginal walls are not usually 

 serious, and heal readily unless septic inflammation sets in, in which 

 case the cow is likely to perishT They may be treated with soothing 



