DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS, 205 
FLOODING, OR BLEEDING FROM THE WOMB. 
This is rare in the mare, but not unknown, in connection with a 
failure of the womb to contract on itself after parturition, or with 
eversion of the womb (casting the withers), and congestion or lacera- 
tion. If the blood accumulates in the flaccid womb, the condition 
may be suspected only by reason of the rapidly advancing weakness, 
swaying, unsteady gait, hanging head, paleness of the eyes and other 
mucous membranes, and weak, small, failing pulse. The hand in- 
troduced into the womb detects the presence of the blood partly 
clotted. If the blood escapes by the vulva, the condition is evident. 
Treatment consists in evacuating the womb of its blood clots, giv- 
ing a large dose of powdered ergot of rye, and in the application of 
cold water or ice to the loins and external generative organs. Besides 
this, a sponge impregnated with a strong solution of alum, or, still 
better, with tincture of muriate of iron, may be introduced into the 
womb and squeezed so as to bring the liquid in contact with the 
walls generally. 
EVERSION OF THE WOMB. 
If the womb fails to contract after difficult parturition, the after- 
pains will sometimes lead to the fundus passing into the body of the 
organ and passing through that and the vagina until the whole 
inverted organ appears externally and hangs down on the thighs. 
The result is rapid engorgement and swelling of the organ, impaction 
of the rectum with feces, and distention of the bladder with urine, all 
of which conditions seriously interfere with the return of the mass. 
In returning the womb the standing is preferable to the recumbent 
position, as the abdomen is more pendent and there is less obstruc- 
tion to the return. It may, however, be necessary to put hobbles on 
the hind limbs to prevent the mare from kicking. A clean sheet 
should be held beneath the womb, and all filth, straw, and foreign 
bodies washed from its surface. Then with a broad, elastic (india- 
rubber) band, or in default of that a long strip of calico 4 or 5 inches 
wide, wind the womb as tightly as possible, beginning at its most 
dependent part- (the extremity of the horn). This serves two good 
ends. It squeezes out into the general circulation the enormous mass 
of blood which engorged and enlarged the organ, and it-furnishes a 
strong protective covering for the now delicate, friable organ, through 
which it may be safely manipulated without danger of laceration. 
The next step may be the pressure on the general mass while those 
portions next the vulva are gradually pushed in with the hands; or 
the extreme lowest point (the end of the horn) may be turned within 
itself and pushed forward into the vagina by the closed fist, the 
return being assisted by manipulations by the other hand, and even 
by those of assistants. By either mode the manipulations may be 
