302 BOVINE OBSTETKICS 



more favorable prognosis than those in the floor of the 

 uterus. 



The danger of infection is always great when there is 

 retention of the foetal membranes and a uterine wound. It is 

 always well to give a doubtful prognosis even when the wound 

 is but little. Penetrating wounds always demand an unfav- 

 orable prognosis. 



Treatment. — When the afterbirth is not yet expelled, it 

 must be removed immediately to encourage early contraction 

 of the uterus. 



Non-penetrating wounds, when within reach of the hand, 

 may be slightly cauterized. Nevertheless the main thing is to 

 encourage involution. For this purpose a subcutaneous injec- 

 tion of 5 to 8 g. of extractum secalis cornuti in 5 g. of glycerine 

 and 5 g. of water in one dose is advisable. In cases of violent 

 hemorrhage the uterine cavity may be tamponed with jute 

 saturated with a boracic acid solution. The tampon is retained 

 by suturing the vulva and removal in eighteen to twenty-four 

 hours. The uterine contractions expel the lochise, thus dimin- 

 ishing the danger of infection. 



Irrigations of the uterus must not be practiced in super- 

 ficial and penetrating wounds. Even in wounds of the first 

 category irrigation may be dangerous, as the extent of the 

 lesion is difficult to ascertain, and in consequence of high 

 pressure the fluid may pass into the abdominal cavity. The 

 reflex activity of the abdominal parietes may be counteracted 

 by clysters of choral hydrate. 



Injuries of the cervix are most common in practice, 

 especially at the so-called portio vaginalis, mainly in primi- 

 parsB. 



Causes. — The cervix uteri is easily wounded when the os 

 is partially dilated and traction is exerted on the calf. Mostly 

 the superior wall is injured, which is dilated until it finally 

 tears. Bough attempts at reposition and the slipping of a 

 hook may also cause such wounds. 



Symptoms. — Injuries of the upper wall do not give rise to 

 special symptoms ; only in deep wounds, extending as far as 



