220 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



womb to expulsive contractions. In the neglected cases, however, 

 when the dependent mass is already badly decomposed, it is liable 

 to tear across under the added weight, leaving a portion of the 

 offensive material imprisoned in the womb. Again, this uncontrolled 

 dragging upon a relaxed womb will (in exceptional cases only, it is 

 true) cause it to become everted and to protrude in this condition 

 from the vulva. 



A second resort is to seize the dependent part of the afterbirth 

 between two sticks, and roll it up on them until they lie against the 

 vulva ; then, by careful traction, accompanied with slight jerking 

 movements from side to side, the womb is stimulated to expulsive 

 contractions and the afterbirth is wound up more and more on the 

 sticks until finally its last connections with the womb are severed and 

 the remainder is expelled suddenly en masse. It is quite evident that 

 neglected cases with putrid membranes are poor subjects for this 

 method, as the afterbirth is liable to tear across, leaving a mass in 

 the womb. During the progress of the work any indication of tear- 

 ing is the signal to stop and proceed with greater caution or alto- 

 gether abandon the attempt in this way. 



The third method (that with the skilled hand) is the most 

 promptly and certainly successful. For this the operator had better 

 dress as for a parturition case. Again, the operation should be under- 

 taken within twenty-four hours after calving, since later the mouth 

 of the womb may be so closed that it becomes difficult to introduce 

 the hand. The operator should smear his arms with carbolized lard 

 or vaseline to protect them against infection, and particularly in 

 delayed cases with putrid membranes. An assistant holds the tail to 

 one side, the operator seizes the hanging afterbirth with the left 

 hand, while he introduces the other along the right side of the vagina 

 and womb, letting the membranes slide through his palm until he 

 reaches the first cotyledon to which they remain adherent. In case 

 no such connection is within reach, with the left hand gentle traction 

 is made on the membranes until the deeper parts of the womb are 

 brought within reach and the attachments to the cotyledons can be 

 reached. Then the soft projection of the membrane, which is attached 

 to the firm fungus-shaped cotyledon on the inner surface of the womb, 

 is seized by the little finger, and the other fingers and thumb are 

 closed on it so as to tear it out from its connections. To explain this, 

 it is necessary only to say that the projection from the membrane is 

 covered by soft, conical processes, which are received into cavities 

 of a corresponding size on the summit of the firm, mushroom-shaped 

 cotyledon growing from the inner surface of the womb. To draw 

 upon the former, therefore, is to extract its soft, villous processes 

 from within the follicles or cavities of the other. (PI. XIII, fig. 2.) 



