r.i'UXAi. nvsTEiiitToMY. r.r.3 



he is apparently confiriiuHl in this view by Bugniet,' who writes : 

 " Distinguished veterinarians have published very interesting observa- 

 tions on this important question in obstetrics ; but I am bound to say 

 that these experienced practitioners have been more fortunate than 

 myself, for I have had notliing but misfortune, and in the interest of 

 science I do not hesitate to say so." Bugniet, after describing three 

 eases in which he operated, and in which death of the mother followed, 

 as evidence that his procedure was not at fault, remarks : " Neverthe- 

 less, I acted with extreme prudence ; when the incisions were made, I 

 pi'oceeded to complete delivery with great care and deliberation. Incision, 

 dilatation, birth, removal of the placenta — all conducted with knowledge 

 and circumspection ; and yet this did not prevent a fatal issue." But in 

 opposition to this experience, there is that of other practitioners who 

 liave had a fair — indeed, a large — share of success. Donnarieix,'- for 

 instance, commenting on Bugniet's report, blames the latter for adopt- 

 ing e.ipcctant instead of active treatment, and asserts that he has taken 

 the exception for the rule. From his own experience, extending over 

 thirty years, during which he had performed vaginal hysterotomy in 

 sixty cases with only one death (the cause of which was not apparent), 

 he concludes (1) that incision of the cei-vix uteri is generally curable, 

 and (2) that palliative measures are more injurious than beneficial, when 

 their uselessness is demonstrated. 



There is no doubt that, in the majority of instances and in the hands 

 of careful obstetrists, vaginal hysterotomy will be successful, and prove 

 a useful operation. 



As a rule, for a period of eight or ten days after the operation, 

 there is a muco-purulent discharge from the vulva ; but the Cow eats, 

 ruminates, gives the usual quantity of milk, and does not appear to be 

 any more inconvenienced than after normal parturition. 



The unfavourable results, however, nmst not be overlooked. Serious 

 injury to the neighbouring organs by the knife, or by the extension of 

 the laceration, is within the range of possibility. \Vhen the cervix is 

 completely divided, either by incision or by subsequent laceration 

 during the passage of the foetus, there may be intense peritonitis arising 

 from escape of the liquor amnii or other fluids into the abdomen, and 

 speedy death. Or excessive hicmorrhage may lead to serious con- 

 sequences. 



in every case, of course, there must be more or less bleeding from the 

 incisions ; but, as a rule, this is of no importance, and it ceases after a 

 time. In less frequeiit cases, however, it persists, and either brings on 

 great debility, or, if excessive, leads to a rapidly fatal termination. 

 This result is most to be apprehended when the cervix is greatly 

 degenerated, and its tissues extremely vascular — as in carcinoma and 

 sarconia. It may also occur from rupture of bloodvessels, in lacera- 

 tion of the cervix or body of the uterus, during the passage of the Calf 

 through the incised os. 



When serious hiemorrhage occurs, cloths or sponges steeped in cold 

 water, astringent lotions and styptics — as the perchloride of iron — must 

 be applied as close to the part as possible ; while cold water irrigation 

 should be maintained on the loins. 



Another result is metritis, or metro-vaginitis, which is rapidly fatal, 

 and in which we find the usual local lesions on making an autopsy. 



^ Rerutil (U Miilecine Veliriiiaire, 1873. 

 ' Op. ci(., 1674, p. 511. 



