176 



a sponge impregnated with a strong solution of alum, or, still better, 

 with tincture of muriate of iron may be introduced into the womb and 

 squeezed so as to bring the liquid in contact with the walls generally. 



EVERSION OF THE WOMB. 



If the womb fails to contract after difficult parturition, the after-pains 

 will sometimes lead to the fundus passing into the body of the organ 

 and passing through that and the vagina until the whole inverted organ 

 appears externally and hangs down on the thighs. The result is rapid 

 engorgement and swelling of the organ, impaction of the rectum with 

 fneces, and distention of the bladder with urine, all of which conditions 

 seriously interfere with the return of the mass. In returning the womb 

 the standing is preferable to the recumbent jiosition, as the abdomen 

 is more pendant and there is less obstruction to the return. It may, 

 however, be necessary to put hobbles on the hind limbs to prevent the 

 mare from kicking. A clean sheet should be held beneath the womb 

 and all filth, straw, and foreign bodies washed from its surface. Then 

 with a broad, elastic (india-rubber) band, or in default of that a long 

 strip of calico 4 or 5 inches wide, wind the womb as tightly as possible, 

 beginning at its most dependent part (the extremity of the horn). This 

 serves two good ends. It squeezes out into the general circulation the 

 enormous mass of blood which engorged and enlarged the organ, and 

 it furnishes a strong protective covering for the now delicate friable 

 organ, through which it may be safely manipulated without danger of 

 laceration. The next step may be the pressure on the general mass 

 while those portions next the vulva are gradually pushed in with the 

 hands; or the extreme lowest point (the end of the horn) may be turned 

 within itself and pushed forward into the vagina by the closed fist, the 

 return being assisted by manipulations by the other hand, and even by 

 those of assistants. By either mode the manipulations may be made 

 with almost perfect safety so long as the organ is closely wrapped in 

 the bandage. Once a portion has been introduced into the vagina the 

 rest will usually' follow with increasing ease, and the operation should 

 be completed with the hand and arm extended the full length within 

 the womb and moved from point to point so as to straighten out all parts 

 of the organ and insure that no portion still remains inverted within 

 another portion. Should any such partial inversion be left it will give 

 rise to straining, under the force of which it will gradually increase 

 until the whole mass will be protruded as before. The next step is to 

 apply a truss as an effectual mechanical barrier to further escape of 

 the womb through the vulva. The simplest is made with two inch ropes, 

 each about 18 feet long. These are each doubled and interwoven at 

 the bend, as seen in Plate YIII, Fig. 4. The ring formed by the inter- 

 lacing of the two ropes is adjusted around the vulva, the two ends of 

 the one rope are carried up on the right and left of the tail and along 

 the spine, being wound round each other in their course, and are finally 



