208 The Diseases of Animals 
uterus is forced out and hangs in a large mass from the 
vulva. 
The displaced uterus should be carefully washed 
with warm water, containing a small amount of carbolic 
acid or other antiseptic, and then carefully pushed back 
into place. The animal will strain while this is being 
done, but it is to be firmly held until the straining is 
over In replacing an everted uterus, the closed fist 
should be placed beneath the mass, and gradually pushed 
up into the vagina. This returns the parts to their 
normal positions. 
Taking about four stitches through the lips of the 
vulva will hold the uterus in place. The stitches can 
be left for twenty-four to thirty-six hours, or until all 
straining is stopped. In some cases a truss, made of 
rope, can be arranged so that it will cover the vulva, 
it is held in place by tying to a band around the body. 
A pessary is also used,—a small smooth stick, such as 
the end of a fork handle, is eut off about three feet 
long, and a hole is bored through the eut end. After 
the uterus is replaced, the smooth end is inserted 
and the stick is held in place by a small rope passed 
through the hole in the end and tied to the band 
around the body. A small rope tied tightly around 
the body just back of the front legs, and another just 
forward of the hind legs, usually will keep the cow 
from straining. 
A cow that has everted the uterus once is likely to 
do so the next time she calves. In purchasing cows, the 
vulva should be examined to see whether there are 
scars of stitches where it has been sewed up. When 
