218 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



closed fist into the center of the mass and carries it back through the 

 vagina, assisting in returning the surrounding parts by the other 

 hand. In more complete eversion, but with the womb as yet of its 

 natural bulk and consistency, and the cow standing, straining being 

 checked by pinching the back, a sheet is held by two men so as to 

 sustain the everted womb and raise it to the level of the vulva. It 

 is now^ sponged clean with cold water, the cold being useful in driving 

 out the blood and reducing the bulk, and finally it may be sponged 

 over with laudanum or with a weak solution of carbolic acid (1 dram 

 to 1 quart water) . 



The closed fist may now be planted in the rounded end of the 

 largest horn and pushed on so as to turn it back within itself and 

 carry it on through the vagina, the other hand being used meanwhile 

 to assist in the inversion and in pushing the different masses in suc- 

 cession within the lips of the vulva. In case of failure, resort should 

 be had at once to a plan which I have successfully followed for many 

 years. Take a long linen or cotton bandage, 5 or 6 inches wide, and 

 Avind it around the protruding womb as tightly as it can be drawn, 

 beginning at the free end and gradually covering the entire mass up 

 to the vulva. By this means the greater part of the blood will be 

 forced out of the organ and its bulk greatly reduced, so that its reduc- 

 tion is much facilitated. An additional advantage is found in the 

 protection given to the womb by its investing bandage while it is 

 being pushed forward into the vagina and abdomen. In manipulat- 

 ing the exposed womb there is always danger of laceration, but when 

 the organ is covered with a sheet it is next to impossible to tear it. 

 The subsequent manipulation is as in the other case, by pushing the 

 blind end forward within itself with the closed fist and carrying this 

 on through the vagina into the abdomen with the constant assistance 

 of the other hand. It will often be found convenient to use the edge 

 of the left hand to push the outer part of the protruding mass inside 

 the lips of the vulva, while the right hand and arm are carrying the 

 central portions forward through the vagina. An intelligent assist- 

 ant, pushing with the palms of both hands on the outer portion of 

 the mass, will also afford material assistance. As the womb is turned 

 within itself the wrapping bandage will gradually loosen, but once 

 the great mass has entered the passages it is easy to compel the rest 

 to follow, and the compression by the bandage is no longer so im- 

 portant. When the womb is fully replaced the bandage is left in 

 its interior in a series of loose folds, and can be easily withdrawn. 

 It is well to move the hand from side to side to insure that the two 

 horns of the womb are fully extended and on about the same level 

 before withdrawing the arm and applying a truss. 



When the womb has been long everted and is gorged with blood, 

 inflamed, and friable there is often the additional disadvantage that 



