464 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



formed. Sometimes a slight torsion may be counteracted 

 by manipulative means per vaginam, any protruding por- 

 tion of the foetus being grasped and rotated. In other 

 cases abdominal section with manual restoration of the 

 uterus to its position has been tried with success, but the 

 operation is difficult. 



Dilatation op Os Uteei. — Post-partum the os in due 

 time contracts, but sometimes this is not so. This is 

 generally associated with imperfect contraction of the 

 main portion of the uterus. It indicates a want of 

 tone, and may be generally overcome by cold-water 

 applications. 



The Imperfect Post-paetum Oonteaction op the Uteeus 

 may be associated with haemorrhage, for diminution in 

 the volume of the organ normally suffices to prevent 

 bleeding from the slightly lacerated cotyledons. In such 

 a case it may be treated by cold-water injections either 

 into the uterus or the rectum. But when unassociated 

 with such a complication, it may be overcome by 

 administration of stimulants, or even small doses of ergot 

 of rye. 



"When Inertia op the Uteeine Walls takes place in 

 the pregnant animal, it is apt to lead to a want of re- 

 sponse to the ordinary indications for expulsion of the 

 foetus, and therefore to prolonged retention. Then the 

 young animal may continue to grow, and thus become 

 large enough to cause some difficulty in expulsion, or it 

 may die, and either decompose and cause septic disorder 

 of the cow, or, if the os uteri prevent access of air, it 

 is apt to undergo dry gangrene and mummify. 



Sometimes the decomposed foetal remains are expelled 

 gradually as a discharge jper vulvam ; in one case alluded 

 to by Youatt, expulsion took place per anumj the caecum 

 and uterus having contracted adhesions and become 

 connected by a fistula. The tincture of the ergot 

 of rye is a most valuable excitant of the walls of the 

 uterus to contraction. In cases of prolonged parturition, 

 the uterus may lose its power and remain in a relaxed 

 state with the foetus still in its cavity and labour-pains 



