THE MORE COMMON AILMENTS OF CATTLE 449 



turned with reasonable promptness, it becomes inflamed 

 and gorged with blood, accompanied by continuous in- 

 crease to a very great size. 



The losses occasioned by eversion of the womb are 

 not of great frequency, and yet, in the aggregate, they 

 amount to a considerable sum. One of the most vexa- 

 tious features of such cases is the disagreeable labor of 

 treating them and the expense incurred in the treatment, 

 also the liability to occur again. 



Threatened eversion of the womb may sometimes 

 be prevented. When there is a tendency toward ever- 

 sion, there is likely to be a protrusion of the vagina as 

 the time of parturition draws near. This will be more 

 or less apparent when the cow is lying down. In such 

 instances the rear of the stall should be elevated not 

 less than 5 or 6 inches by the aid of litter coarse but 

 dry, or of litter overlying dry earth. 



In ordinary cases a skilled herdsman can usually 

 return the expelled uterus to its proper place, but, in 

 instances not a few, complications arise which make it 

 necessary to secure the aid of a veterinary practitioner. 

 When the eversion is but partial, and the cow standing, 

 it may be put in place again as follows : The operator 

 makes bare his arm to the shoulder, places his closed 

 fist against the center of the mass and pushes it back 

 through the vagina. The left hand is used at the same 

 time in returning the surrounding parts. While this is 

 being done, an attendant should pinch the back of the 

 cow to prevent straining. 



When eversion is complete and the parts still retain 

 their natural bulk, the method followed is the same after 

 preparation has been made for the return of the parts. 

 Such preparation usually includes the following: Two 

 attendants lift the expelled womb by the aid of a sheet 

 to the level of the back. It is then sponged clean with 

 cold water, the cold aiding in reducing the bulk. It 

 may also with benefit be further sponged with 



