104 BOVINE OBSTETEICS 



Altbougli inversion is a serious complication, one must 

 not despair too soon. When reposition is successful and lasts 

 until parturition, everytliing usually ends well, but care must 

 be taken that the posterior extremities are kept in an elevated 

 condition during parturition. 



Digestive disturbances are often seen in such patients. 

 Its characteristic symptoms are : Appetite is lessened, rumina- 

 tion ceases, defgecation indolent. Fssces are hard and are 

 passed in balls. Tympanites may be present. Here dietetic 

 treatment is the main thing. Nutritious, easily digested 

 and not voluminous food is required. Hydrochloric acid, 

 and, when necessary, a saline purge, should be administered. 

 Quickly arising tympanites is corrected by puncturing the 

 rumen. When cows, advanced in pregnancy, rest upon the 

 left side for some time, the functions of the rumen are interfered 

 with by the pressure from the gravid uterus. Belching is pre- 

 vented and tympanites follows. The treatment consists of 

 rolling the animal upon the right side or by placing her upon 

 the knees and flexed hocks in a straight position. Eructation 

 immediately follows and tympanites subsides. This exceed- 

 ingly simple and rational method is used with much success by 

 many practitioners. When discussing embryotomy and pro- 

 lapsus uteri, I shall take up tympanites, following improper 

 positions. 



4. — Hernia of the Uterus, Hysterocele. 



When, in ventral hernia, the gravid uterus with the foetus 

 forms the contents of the hernia, it is spoken of as hysterocele, 

 or hernia uteri. It is hardly reasonable that the uterus would 

 pass through a hernial orifice in the unimpregnated state ; the 

 manner in which the mesometrium holds the body and horns 

 of the uterus in place, makes this almost impossible. But 

 when the uterus is gravid and a part of the impregnated 

 cornu extends beyond the anterior border of the mesometrium, 

 the pregnant uterus may pass through a rent in the abdominal 

 walls and form the contents of a hernial sac. 



