:I02 VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 



Treatment. — If the fcetal membranes have not been 

 removed, have them taken away at once. Apply cold 

 cloths, or ice bags, to the lumbar region ; inject cold 

 water into the rectum and womb, and internally 

 administer styptics ; and if the animal is weak, give 

 stimulants. Should these fail, pass into the uterus a 

 soft, clean cloth, or absorbent cotton tampon, saturated 

 with a cold styptic solution ; tincture of ergot, or 

 ergotine, orally. As a revulsive, powerful counter- 

 irritation may be tried over the chest wall. If the 

 animal survives the acute stage, she should have food 

 that is easy of digestion and assimilation, and stimu- 

 lants ■^or several days. 



Retention of the Foetal Membranes. 



(Reientio Secundarum.) 



This is one of the commonest conditions following 

 parturition, being often due to weakness, or to a 

 degenerate condition of the uterine walls ; it may 

 be due to an injury to the walls of the uterus, and 

 is common in animals that have aborted; in which 

 case the os contracts before the membranes are 

 expelled. It is sometimes due to morbid adhesions. 



This is very easily diagnosed. A portion of the 

 membrane may be seen hanging from the inferior 

 commisure of the vulva, the appearance of which will 

 depend upon the length of time it has been there. 

 The odor is characteristic, and the mass often gives 

 rise to an amount of irritation, exhibited by the strain- 

 ing and general uneasiness of the animal. In other 

 cases, nothing can be seen while the animal is standing, 



