8 14 Veterinary Obstetrics 



it might be possible in some cases to secure the wounded vessel if 

 it could be identified. In the milder forms of hemorrhage, where 

 the quantity of blood is not great, it may not be necessary or even 

 advisable to interfere, especially if the uterine cavity is in an 

 aseptic condition. When the hemorrhage is dependent upon 

 a want of involution, contraction should be encouraged by such 

 means as we have at command. 



If the organ is intact, we may hasten involution by the injec- 

 tion into it of a tepid solution of an antiseptic or a normal salt 

 solution, or we may attempt to favor involution by the ad- 

 ministration of ergot or of stimufants. It may be also that the 

 involution can be hastened in some cases by the introduction of 

 cold water or of ice into the uterine cavity, and at the same time 

 the hemorrhage somewhat checked by the cold. 



In hemorrhage from the prolapsed uterus, we can not hope to 

 check that of a capillary character except by the reposition of 

 the organ; while that from any torn vessels of importance can be 

 readily controlled with the aid of forceps or by ligation or other 

 means in common use. Digital compression, applied for some 

 time, may bring success. 



When a quantity of blood has accumulated in the uterus and 

 coagulated, it should be promptly removed and means applied to 

 cause uterine involution. 



2. Rupture of the Uterus and Vagina. 



In all domestic animals, rupture of the uterus or vagina is 

 liable to occur at any time during labor, and especially toward 

 the close of the act, as the fetus is being forced along the genital 

 passages. The organs are again subject to rupture because of 

 their prolapse or eversion of the organs. 



The accident occurs in a great variety of ways. Frequently it 

 occurs through the projection of some part or extremity of the 

 fetus in an improper direction, so that it is forced through the 

 wall of the organ because of a concentration of pressure upon a 

 small area. Ruptures from this cause naturally occur most fre- 

 quently in the mare and cow, where the fetus has long and rigid 

 extremities, which are capable of inducing great injury wlien 

 they become misdirected. 



In transverse presentations in the mare, when version is at- 

 tempted without embryotomy, there is always danger of an 



