MORBID ALTKIiATIOXS IX THE UEXERATIVE ORir'AXS. 359 



at the side ; it is pushed through the canal until the pocket end projects 

 into the uterus ; then water is steadily injected into it by means of the 

 tube attached to the other end. When lilled with water the bag 

 remains in the os, in consequence of the middle portion being narrower 

 than the two ends. 



This dilator produces the same results as the sponge tent, over which 

 it has some advantages. The only drawback to it is, perhaps, the thick- 

 ness of its substance ; as it cannot be passed into the os unless this is 

 permeable to two or three lingers. 



A simpler contrivance than that of Barnes, and which will perhaps 

 be found useful on similar occasions, is that designed by Schnakenburg, 

 and named the " Sphenosiphon." It is merely the bladder of an animal 

 tied to a syringe, and which, when water is injected into it, mechani- 

 cally dilates the cers'ix. For veterinary purposes, the bladder might be 

 attached to a piece of indiarubber tubing, which again could be fixed 

 to the nozzle of the syringe. It and Barnes' dilator act in the same 

 manner as the natural " water-bag," formed by the foetal membranes 

 and liquor amnii. 



Fig. 95. 

 Bau.nks' Uterine Dilator. 



Another means which has been successfully employed in such cases, 

 as it is simple and without danger, and at the same time efifective in 

 producing premature artificial delivery in woman, is the uterine douche 

 introduced into obstetrical practice in 1848, by Kiwisch of Dresden. 

 This is generally known as the " ascending uterine douche," and con- 

 sists of a jet of water at a certain temperature directed against the 

 posterior uterine segment for some minutes, and repeated, if necessary, 

 at intervals of two or three hours. It is often resorted to in woman to 

 favour the dilatation of an cntirehj closed os, and to prepare it for the 

 application of another method, which may be either Barnes' or Schna- 

 kenburg's. 



This method might be adapted to animals in the following manner. 

 The apparatus may consist merely of a bucket, or barrel with one end 

 out, such as may be found in almost every stable or cow-shed, and a 

 long piece of indiarubber tubing about half-an-inch in diameter, which 

 can be procured easily and cheaply. To one end of this tubing is fitted 

 the pipe of an ordinary sjTinge — either enema or garden ; the other end 

 is immersed in the barrel or pail, which should be filled with tepid 

 water at a temperature of about 10-i' Fahr., and placed sufliciently high 

 to yield a pretty strong jet. 



