8o6 Veterinary Obstetrics 



Others, and with more reason, advise and use carminatives and 

 aromatics internally, such as anise seed, fenugrec, gentian, and 

 camomile, or the gum-resins like camphor and others. They 

 are probably of distinct value as adjuncts to the local handling, 



In many cases, great good may come from prompt catharsis, 

 and for this purpose we prefer one of the hypodermic cathartics, 

 such as eserine or arecoline. Owing to the feebleness of the 

 heart, we would administer it in small and repeated doses, com- 

 bined with strychnine, and continue it until the desired evacua- 

 tion of the bowels has been brought about. This in itself fre- 

 quently causes a great reduction of the temperature, and marked 

 improvement of the general symptoms. 



The food should be easily digestible. Such highly nutritious 

 food as linseed meal serves an excellent purpose, while roots are 

 also valuable, because of their keeping the bowels more or less 

 freely open. 



The prevention of retained afterbirth in the cow is an im- 

 portant problem, which offers hope for success in numerous cases. 

 It is highly important, from the standpoint of prevention, 

 that, in all cases of dystokia attended by a veterinarian, the after- 

 birth should be removed, if possible, immediately after the re- 

 moval of the fetus, followed by irrigation of the uterus, bringing 

 about its firm contraction. It is also important that the owners 

 of pregnant animals should keep them in vigorous condition, 

 allowing plenty of exercise, air and light, with an abundance of 

 good digestible food, for some weeks at least prior to parturition. 



A very important element in the prevention of retained pla- 

 centa, and for which the veterinarian is directly responsible, is 

 the question of handling in cases of dystokia. In discussing the 

 general handling of dystokia on page 620, we have already em- 

 phasized the value of aseptic precautions in all these operations. 

 It is well to repeat here the duty of the veterinarian to take every 

 possible precaution against carrying infection into the uterine 

 cavity while he is dealing with a case of dystokia. To this end, 

 he needs to follow out carefully the rules which we have already 

 laid down regarding sterilization or disinfection of his clothing, 

 his hands and arms, his instruments, and the exposed parts of 

 the patient. 



As soon as fears of placental retention are entertained, the 

 veterinarian can, and should, do much to obviate the disease. 



