106 



BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



Palpation at times reveals parls of the foetus. When the 

 rupture occurs in the right lower abdominal region — that is, 

 alongside the linea alba — the udder may remain in situ, and to 

 the right of it a hernia of enormous dimensions (Fricker). 

 When the right abdominal muscle tears off the pelvis, the belly 

 and udder descend until the teats of the latter almost touch 

 the ground. 



Prognosis. — Prognosis with regard to hernia uteri is always 

 unfavorable. When originating during pregnancy, danger arises 

 that it enlarges as the foetus develops. The fact that it may 



Fig, 16. — Uterine Hernia (Fricker). 



become incarcerated and parturition difficult justly entitles us 

 to make an unfavorable diagnosis. 



Tlierapeutics. — There is practically no treatment when an 

 extensive heriiia appears toward the end of pregnancy. The 

 owner rather waits for parturition, provided it is to be expected 

 shortly, and then slaughters the cow. In this way he may get 

 a living calf. Only when the hernia interferes with parturition, 

 can we think of rendering assistance. As the result of the dis- 

 placement, the normal direction of the uterus is changed, a 

 deviation commonly termed inferior obliquity or anteversio. 

 Obstetrical therapeutics will be fully discussed under that head; 

 I shall allude to it here only briefly. Labor pains in this con- 



