DYSTOKIA FlinM lilSl'LACKMEXT I'F THE I'TKIU'S. 



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and attenuated, their fibres are separated and some of them rupture, 

 and in this way is formed a rent which gradually enlarges from the 

 increasing pressure. Then a tumour appears externally and towards 

 the lower part of the abdomen, though always a little to one side — 

 usually the left in the ^lare, the right in the Cow, and not infrequently 

 in front of the pulns, in the mammary region. This tumour, when first 

 noticed, is about the size of a child's head, and not clearly defined ; but 

 it rapidly enlarges, and in a few days may acquire prodigious dimen- 

 sions — descending as low as the hocks, or even nearly to the ground, 

 pushing the mamnue to one side or carrying them with it, extending 

 as high as the vulva and almost as far forward as the sternum, giving 

 to the abdomen a singular appearance (Fig. 84). 



These extraordinary herniao are most frequently witnessed in Cows 

 (Fig. 85), though several veterinarians — among others, Lecoq, Binz, 

 Leconte, Serres, Lafosse — have seen them in Mares. In very many 



Fig. 85. 

 Uterine Hebnia : Cow. 



instances they are due to violent efforts, kicks, blows, and other external 

 injuries. 



When the hernia is recent, and especially if it occurs in the mammary 

 region, it is generally surrounded by a considerable ocdematous swell- 

 ing. This swelling disappears after parturition, though the hernial 

 tumour itself does not diminish in volume, the digestive organs having 

 occupied the space previously held by the fu?tus. Then the animal has 

 a still more singular appearance, perhaps ; for owing to this emptying 

 of the abdominal cavity, the belly is wonderfully retracted and the 

 flanks are so drawn together that the fingers may be made almost to 

 touch througli them on each side. 



Before parturition, palpation of the tumour enables the foetus to be 

 distinguished — the head, limbs, and body being felt, while its movements 

 are perceptible by the eye or hand. 



As a rule, and contrary to what might be surmised, this uterine hernia 

 does not appear to cause any loss of condition or inconvenience except 

 in progression, which it interferes with, and causes the animal to move 



