560 OBSTETRICAL OPEEATIONS. 



sion, should it not be there at first. Two assistants compress the sides 

 of the wound, so as to maintain them closely against the uterus ; this 

 the operator cuts through slowly, layer after layer, using all diligence 

 so as to escape wounding the foetal membranes. 



Two fingers are insinuated between the walls of the organ and these 

 membranes, and the bistoury is again employed to dilate the opening, 

 as in the peritoneal incision, so as to give it nearly the same direction 

 and extent of that in the abdominal wall. Should the membranes be 

 still intact, they are to be torn, and the " waters" allowed to flow — 

 but only outside the abdomen, if possible. The operator now, plunging 

 his arm at once in the cavity of the uterus, seizes the first parts of the 

 foetus that come to hand— fore-legs, head, or hind-quarters, if possible 

 — and removes it quickly ; the umbilical cord is torn or tied, and the 

 young creature given to those who will dry and rub it, wrap it in a 

 warm blanket, and otherwise attend to it. 



The obstetrist immediately, if the parent is to be preserved, removes 

 the foBtal membranes — an easy task comparatively in the Mare, much 

 more tedious and difficult in the Cow, as all the adhering cotyledons 

 must be separated one by one. Then, by means of a sponge, all the 

 fluid remaining in the organ is to be cleared out, as well as any that may 

 have escaped into the abdomen. It might be well to damp the interior 

 of the uterus with a very weak solution of carbolic acid, or potassium 

 iodide (1 to 500 or 700). This accomplished, the great wound is to be 

 closed. 



Nothing is done to the uterus, as a rule ; the organ soon diminishes 

 very considerably in volume, and it would appear that the wound in it 

 is not long in cicatrising. The borders of the wound in the abdomen, 

 however, must be speedily and solidly united. The best means of 

 union is undoubtedly the quilled suture, which is to be applied accord- 

 ing to the ordinary rules of surgery ; care must be taken to make the 

 sutures enter at a good distance from the border of the wound, and to 

 include the muscles as well as the skin. If the cord fixing the out- 

 stretched hind-limb is slackened a little, it wall facilitate closing the 

 wound. A small corner should be left open at the lower end of the 

 incision, to allow the products of inflammation and suppuration to 

 escape. External to the wound, either a layer of fine tow or lint, 

 slightly carbonised, or oakum, may be placed. Over this, long narrow 

 strips of canvas covered w^ith melted glue may be fixed, to support the 

 sutures and retain the dressing ; then on these another thin layer of 

 carbolised tow or oakum, and, lastly, the wide body-bandage around 

 the abdomen and loins of the creature. Though it is somewhat diffi- 

 cult to apply, yet it is essential that this bandage or compress be put 

 on before the animal is allowed to rise. Afterwards the bandage may 

 be adjusted and tightened if necessary. 



When the incision is made at the linca alba the procedure is some- 

 what similar ; but, as we do not recommend it for the reason above 

 stated, we need not allude to it further. 



The after-treatment of the wound is that followed for all such serious 

 traumatisms. If possible it should be kept perfectly dry, and dressed 

 with antiseptic powders — such as boric acid. 



The diet should be light and sloppj' for a short time, unless the 

 animal is very feeble, when nourishing food must be given. 



With the smaller animals the operation is similar, but with the 

 multiparas the cornu containing the young is drawn partially outside 



