Inversion of the Uterus 839 



tedly, however, it is very unfortunate to leave an animal without 

 adequate protection, and permit the recurrence of the prolapse 

 after the obstetrist has left the premises. A variety of appli- 

 ances for the retention of the uterus in position have been de- 

 vised and applied, and are recommended or condemned by this 

 or that veterinary obstetrist, largely according to his personal 

 experience or prejudice. 



I. Pessaries have long been used for the purpose of retaining 

 in position a uterus which has once been prolapsed or threatens 

 to become so. They consist essentially of an elongated and rigid 

 shaft, which may be passed through the vulva and vagina into 

 the uterus, and retained there by some form of external bandage 

 or other mechanism, thus preventing the uterus from becoming 

 everted. The uterine end needs be large and smooth in order to 

 avoid possible injury to the uterus. They are constructed 

 of a great variety of materials, and upon different models. 



The pad pessary is made of a stick of wood 20 or 25 inches in 

 length, with a pad of as large a size as can readily be introduced 

 through the vulva, fixed to the uterine end. This is firmly se- 

 cured to the wooden stem, so that it cannot become dislodged, 

 while through the other end of the shaft a cord is pas.sed by which 

 it can be fastened to a bandage, so that the instrument cannot be 



forced out of the organ. 



Others construct a pessary of metal, with a small ring upon 

 the uterine end. This is introduced and retained in the same 

 way as the pad pessary. A rude pessary is sometimes made by 

 attaching a pig's bladder, filled with water, to a round stick, thus 

 producing an instrument similar to the pad pessary. Others 

 have suggested a rubber bag, attached to a tube to act as the 

 stem of the pessary, and inflated by air forced through the tube 

 into it and retained by means of. a stop-cock. Still others take 

 a large wine or beer bottle, fasten a stick in its mouth, intro- 

 duce the large end of the bottle into the uterus and retain it 

 there with a bandage. 



The value of the pessary in veterinary obstetrics is very question- 

 able. It almost inevitably causes discomfort to the patient, and 

 tends to induce expulsive efforts. If for any reason the pessary 

 becomes disconnected, such as the pad slipping off the end of the 

 shaft, the naked stem is liable to be forced through the uterine 

 wall and cause serious injury. The most formidable objection to 



