608 ACCWEXTS AFTER PAETUFJTIOX. 



Ass, which had the vagina inverted for more than a month, and every 

 means of retention had failed. Amputation was practised, by a circular 

 incision around the base of the tumour. At the first cut of the bistoury, 

 it was observed that the mucous membrane was very much thickened, 

 and easily detached from the other parts ; so that, instead of making a 

 total amputation, it was considered better to make it only partial, by 

 dissecting away all that tissue to the extent of four or five inches. This 

 was done, and the hemorrhage was inconsiderable ; but it persisted so 

 long afterwards that the animal was seized with symptoms of syncope. 

 However, these symptoms passed away, and the creature began to eat. 

 A rope truss was applied, and for eight days there was a discharge of 

 pus. At the end of that time, when the truss was removed, recovery 

 was found to be complete. On exploring the vagina some time after- 

 wards, a thick but dilatable ring, about the middle of the vagina, was 

 found, through which first one finger, then two and three, could be 

 passed. Beyond this ring the canal was normal in width. 



There can be no doubt, then, that the inverted vagina may be ampu- 

 tated without much risk, when reduction is impossible or incomplete ; 

 but whether an animal which has undergone this operation can be 

 utilised for breeding purposes afterwards, we have no evidence to prove. 

 It is possible that the cicatricial tissue uniting the wound may be suffi- 

 ciently yielding to allow of gradual dilatation by manual or mechanical 

 means, and thus not offer much impediment to impregnation or parturi- 

 tion. 



CHAPTEE V. 

 Inversion of the Bladder— Prolapsus Vesicae. 



At p. 351, allusion was made to inversion of the bladder as occurring 

 before parturition, and the symptoms and treatment of this accident 

 were described. The remarks there made are applicable to the accident 

 when it follows delivery. It is of somewhat rare occurrence, and is 

 perhaps more frequently met with in the Mare than in the Cow. 



We have particularly insisted upon the necessity for a careful exami- 

 nation of all vulvar tumours before adopting any surgical measures ; 

 and this precaution is above all things necessary in this accident, as 

 incision of the bladder is certain to lead to a fatal termination. 



Reduction should be attempted according to the directions given at 

 p. 352, and care must be taken not to lacerate the organ, as this also 

 will prove fatal. Elmue^ relates an occurrence of this description. 

 Reduction has been accomplished successfully in the Mare two months 

 after parturition, when the accident happened. - 



In desperate cases, when reduction cannot be effected, or when the 

 organ is so much injured that reposition is almost certain to be followed 

 by death, amputation may be ventured upon with some prospect of 

 success. 



With regard to the operation, Cartwright remarks : "It is be observed 

 that the ureters enter the substance of the neck of the bladder obliquely 

 towards its sides, but their orifices are to be seen when the bladder is 

 inverted, the Cow or Mare standing, at the upper surface of the viscus, 

 about half an inch apart. To detect them, we must draw the bladder 



1 Canstatt's Jahresberichf, 1859. 

 -' Archives Veterinaire, 1877, p. 801. 



