316 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



from the vagina as a pear-shaped, dark-red mass. When the 

 severe straining incident to expulsion of the fetus is continued 

 after the young is born, there is a decided probability that the 

 uterus will prolapse. To replace the organ in its normal position 

 requires the skill of an expert veterinarian. Great care must be 

 taken to cleanse the exposed mucous surface of all dirt and filth. 

 Stimulants to support the patient and medicines to ward off 

 wound-infection diseases must also be administered. By elevat- 

 ing the hind quarters by means of a block and tackle the protrud- 

 ing parts may be replaced with ease, in fact in the cow they 

 sometimes slip back into proper position almost of their own 

 accord. 



RUPTURE OF THE UTERUS 



This accident almost always occurs during parturition or 

 shortly afterward. In the former case it is due to puncture 

 by one foot of the foal, or by instruments carelessly handled. 

 After parturition it occurs from carelessness of the attendant 

 when examining the womb or introducing fluids to irrigate it. 

 Death is the usual result, as peritonitis is bound to set in. 

 Moreover, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to sew up the 

 rent in the uterine wall in a satisfactory manner. 



DIFFICULT PARTURITION 



The scientific term for this trouble is dystocia. It may be 

 due either to some defect of the mother, as a deformity or disease 

 of the pelvic organs, or to some abnormality in the size, form, or 

 position of the fetus. All that may be required is the straighten- 

 ing of a retained leg, or the turning of the head, to place the fetus 

 in position so that the animal can proceed with the act of par- 

 turition. Unfortunately, in practice the difficulties are often 

 much more serious and can be overcome only by resort to all the 

 skill and resourcefulness possessed by an experienced veterinary 

 obstetrist. Therefore, no time should be lost in calling him, 

 and this before traction is exerted on the fetus, for the chances 

 of a successful delivery become rapidly less if assistance is delayed 

 until the water-bags are ruptured, their contents escape, and the 

 animal is exhausted from continued straining. Moreover, every 

 time the hand or an appliance is introduced in the vagina the 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



