162 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



It may sometimes be remedied by raising the hind part of the stall 

 higher than the front part. This failing, a truss may be applied as 

 for eversion of the womb, and worn until the period of calving 

 approaches. (Pis. XXII, XXIII.) 



HERNIA (breach) OF THE UTERUS. 



This occurs usually in advanced pregnancy from a gradual relaxa- 

 tion and distention of the lower wall of the abdomen in the region of 

 the udder, so that the latter is displaced downward, and in the sac 

 above and in front of it may be felt the form and movements of the 

 fetus. In other cases the womb escapes through a great laceration of 

 the abdominal muscles to one side of the udder, and the hernial mass 

 extends down to one side of that organ. However unsightly, this 

 oft€n allows the animal to complete its pregnancy naturally, and a 

 broad supporting bandage placed around the abdomen is about all 

 that can be recommended. After calving it is best to fatten the cow. 



CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS. 



The compression by the womb and fetus of the nerves passing 

 through the pelvis sometimes causes cramp and inability to move the 

 limb, but it disappears under friction and motion and is never seen 

 after calving. 



DROPSY OF THE HIND LIMBS AND BETWEEN THE THIGHS. 



In the latter months of pregnancy the hind legs may swell beneath 

 the hocks, or a soft swelling which pits on pressure with the finger 

 appears from the vulva down between the thighs to the udder and in 

 front. It is mainly due to the pressure of the enlarged womb on the 

 blood vessels, is not dangerous, and disappears after calving. 



DROPSY or THE MEMBRANES OF THE FETUS (dROPSY OF THE WOMb) . 



The unimpregnated womb may be filled with a dropsical fluid, but 

 the pregnant womb is more liable to become overdistended by an 

 excess of fluid in the inner water bag in which the fetus floats. (PI. 

 XII.) From an unhealthy state of this membrane or of blood of 

 the fetus (watery blood) this liquid may go on accumulating until 

 the cow seems almost as broad as she is long. If the trouble has not 

 originated in the ill health of the cow, the result is still to draw on 

 her system, overtax her strength, and derange her digestion, so that 

 the result may prove fatal to both mother and offspring. On the 

 other hand, I have known extreme cases come to the natural term 

 without help and produce a living calf, after which the dam did well. 



