DISEASES FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 215 



of straining, the compression of the belly is so great as to prove a 

 serious obstacle to reduction. The straining may be checked by 2 or 3 

 ounces of laudanum or 2 ounces of chloral hydrate, or by inhalation 

 of chloroform to insensibility, and then by raising the hind parts on 

 straw bundles the gravitation of the abdominal organs forward may 

 be made to lessen the resistance. If not successful in this way, the 

 cow may be further turned on her back, and if return is still impos- 

 sible, 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 gravi- 

 tation forward proves a most material help to reduction. In seek- 

 ing to return the womb the sponging with ice-cold water, raising 

 on. a sheet, and wrapping in a tight bandage should be resorted 

 to. Another method which is especially commendable in these in- 

 flamed conditions of the womb is to bring a piece of linen sheet, 30 

 by 36 inches, 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 ov^r 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 with the palms applied 

 outside the sheet. Fifteen or twenty minutes are usually sufficient to 

 cause the return of the womb, provided straining is prevented by 

 pinching 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 around the protruding mass close 

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

 it 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 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 around the other, so that this ovoid will remain when they are 

 drawn tight. (Pis. XXII and XXIII.) 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 will 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. 



