834 Veterinary Obstetrics 



may not be advisable either, because if a very large amount escapes, 

 even though it does not result fatally, it tends to seriously 

 weaken the animal. The scarification of the prolapsed organ is 

 inadvisable. 



A second method of reducing the volume of the organ is by 

 causing the blood to return into the vessels of the body. This may 

 be accomplished by a variety of means. We have already sug- 

 gested that the elevation of the organ above the level of the vulva, 

 accompanied by massage during the cleansing of the organ, tends 

 to distinctly reduce its volume. Others suggest that they get 

 most excellent effects from immersing the organ in cold water, 

 and still others advise the use of ice. While cold may re- 

 duce the volume of the organ more than the application of a 

 tepid solution, it also renders it somewhat more hard and firm, 

 while the tepid solution makes it soft and pliable. 



Others recommend the application of pressure by means of a 

 bandage, beginning at the fundus of the organ and continuing 

 toward the vulva. The plan suggested below for reducing the 

 prolapse also efficiently reduces the congestion and volume. 



The reduction or replacement of the uterus is next to be 

 undertaken. We have already suggested that, when the inver- 

 sion is incomplete, and consists merely of an intussesception of 

 the apex of the gravid cornu into the succeeding portion, the 

 operation is very simple and consists merely in placing the 

 clinched fist or open hand against the advancing or central por- 

 tion of the displaced mass, and pushing toward the apex of the 

 horn, causing it to become unfolded and to resume its normal 

 position. 



When the inversion is complete, and prolapse has occurred, the 

 operation becomes far more complicated and difficult. If possi- 

 ble, there should always be an abundance of help at hand to give 

 any necessary aid to the operator. Fleming suggests that at least 

 four assistants are necessary, but in our experience we have usu- 

 ally succeeded with two or three persons, though admittedly in 

 severe cases it is very much better if more persons are at hand 

 in case of emergency. If the animal can stand, and will do so, 

 and it is practicable to return the organ with the patient in this 

 position, it is not essential to have very many assistants, but 

 even then it is usually convenient to have as many as Fleming 

 suggests. Fleming would place one attendant at the animal's 



