DISEASES FOLLOWING PAETUKITION. 213 



the belly is so great as to prove a serious obstacle to reduction, even 

 in the absence of straining. The straining may be checked by 2 or 3 

 ounces of laudanum or 2 ounces of chloral hydrate, or by inhalation 

 of chloroform to insensibility, and then by raising the hind parts on 

 straw bundles' the gravitation of the abdominal organs forward may 

 be made to lessen the resistance. If success can not be had in this 

 way, the cow may be further turned on her back, and if return is still 

 impossible, the hind limbs may be tied together and drawn up to a 

 beam overhead by the aid of a pulley. In this position, in place of 

 the pressure backward of the bowels proving a hindrance, their gravi- 

 tation forward proves a most material help to reduction. In seeking 

 to return the womb the sponging with ice-cold water, the raising 

 on a sheet, and the wrapping in a tight bandage should be resorted 

 to. Another method which is especially commendable in these 

 inflamed conditions of the womb is to bring a piece of linen sheet, 

 30 by 36 inches, under the womb, with its anterior border close up to 

 the vulva, then turn the posterior border upward and forward over 

 the organ, and cross the two ends over this and over each other above. 

 The ends of the sheet are steadily drawn, so as to tighten its hold on 

 the womb, which is thus held on the level of the vulva or above, and 

 cold water is constantly poured upon the mass. The reduction is 

 further sought by compression of the mass with the palms applied 

 outside the sheet. Fifteen or twenty minutes are usually sufficient 

 to cause the return of the womb, provided straining is prevented by 

 pinching of the back or otherwise. 



In old and aggravated cases, with the womb torn, bruised, or even 

 gangrenous, the only resort is to amputate the entire mass. This is 

 done by tying a strong waxed cord around the protruding mass close 

 up to the vulva, winding the cord around pieces of wood, so as to draw 

 it as tightly as possible, cutting off the organ below this ligature, 

 tying a thread on any artery that may still bleed, and returning the 

 stump well into the vagina. 



Retention of the returned womb is the next point, and this is most 

 easily accomplished by a rope truss. Take two ropes, each about 18 

 feet long and an inch in thickness. Double each rope at its middle, 

 and lay the one above the other at the bend so as to form an ovoid of 

 about 8 inches in its long diameter. Twist each end of the one rope 

 twice around the other, so that this ovoid will remain when they are 

 drawn tight. (Pis. XXII and XXIII.) Tie a strap or rope around the 

 back part of the neck and a surcingle around the body. Place the rope 

 truss on the animal so that the ovoid ring shall surround the vulva, 

 the two ascending ropes on the right and left of the tail and the two 

 descending ones down inside the thighs on the right and left of the 

 udder. These descending ropes are carried forward on the sides of 

 the body and tied to tht surcingle and to the neck collar. The 

 ascending ropes proceed forward on the middle of the back, twisting 



