DISPLACEMENT OP THE PREGNANT UTEEUS 161 



First, the preparation; and secondly, the removal of the 

 abnormal position. 



Preparations. — For the experienced practitioner this enum- 

 eration is superfluous ; he knows the difficulties under which 

 the obstetrician labors, and he considers anything which will 

 be of assistance or disadvantage to him. But for the sake of 

 the beginner, not yet experienced, I shall discuss those points 

 more fully. 



In crowded stables, with little space behind the cow, a 

 proper examination cannot be made. Some owners (especially 

 the small breeder) often raise objections to move a cow well 

 advanced in pregnancy, and prefer to have the veterinarian ex- 

 amine her then and there. The veterinarian, to avoid difficul- 

 ties, submits to the wishes of the owner, and examination and 

 treatment begin under adverse circumstances. Should this be 

 followed by an unfavorable termina,tion, he can hardly fall back 

 on the objections raised by the owner, as the case should have 

 been treated by the attending surgeon according to the rules of 

 the veterinarian. Therefore, the first condition is sufficient 

 room. No attention should be paid to such remarks as, " It is 

 impossible ; the cow might catch cold," etc., but tell the owner 

 that a thorough examination is .to his own interest and that 

 treatment under favorable circumstances has a great tendency 

 to bring with it good results. While at first a little provoked, 

 he is apt to appreciate later the firm stand of the veterinarian, 

 which after all enhances his reputation and standing and is 

 much better than yielding concessions which interfere with the 

 proper execution of the operation. Ample room is requisite, as 

 we shall see, both to roll the animal and to execute other 

 methods. 



After washing and cleansing the vulva, tail and neighbor- 

 ing parts, and also washing and oiling the arm of the obstetri- 

 cian, the examination is started, on the results of which the 

 method to be applied depends. 



Repeated explorations, rough palpation, are out of place, 

 but a calm, careful local examination is practiced, at the same. 

 time interpreting the discoveries made by the hand, combining' 



