Hernia of the Uterus 445 



standing position the fetus drops down below the pelvis, through 

 the immense rupture, and rests upon inert parts. 



If premature delivery is not decided upon, the mare should be 

 closely watched and prompt aid should be given at the first signs 

 of labor. 



After delivery, the bandage may be removed at once and the 

 case dismissed if the tendon has not ruptured ; if it has ruptured, 

 the bandage should be readjusted and retained until such time 

 as the ruptured tissues have healed and the weakened abdominal 

 floor has been reenforced by the new formation of connective 

 tissue, as indicated at C, in Fig. 84. 



The mare may be retained until the foal is ready to wean, 

 and then destroyed ; she may be kept permanently as a brood 

 mare, with reasonable assurance that thereafter she will foal un- 

 aided ; or she may be used at moderate work without discomfort. 



In the very severe cases, where the .skin and skin muscles are 

 giving way so that eventration is imminent, or where accompanied 

 by shock and serious internal hemorrhages, the mare should be 

 promptly destroyed, after performing Caesarian section if it is 

 desired to save the foal. 



Hernia of the Uterus or Hysterocele. 



As Hernia of the Uterus, we describe a condition of varying 

 significance, due to any cause, except rupture of the prepubian 

 tendon which we have already described in the preceding chapter, 

 by which a portion or all of the gravid uterus escapes through 

 the muscular walls of the abdomen. This accident or condition 

 may occur in any of the domestic animals and at any point of the 

 abdominal floor. Any ventral hernia may become occupied by a 

 portion of the gravid uterus in any of those animals where the 

 non-gravid organ is of sufiScient length to drop into the opening 

 so that impregnation may occur in the herniated organ. The 

 hernia may also occur later, when the gravid organ is borne down 

 by the weight of its contents. If the hernial ring is sufii- 

 ciently large to allow the escape of a fetus or fetuses through it, 

 the gravid uterus drops into the hernial sac. The causes are the 

 same as those of other hernise, and have no special relation to ob- 

 stetrics except that the fetus passes through the hernial ring, 

 becomes developed within the hernial sac and offers obstacles to 

 birth. 



