THE GENERATIVE APPARATCJS. 175 



where its peculiar feel, and especially fluctuation on pres- 

 sure at certain points, may lead to its being considered an 

 abscess or tumour of a simple or malignant nature. 

 The relations in development of the hernia tumour to preg- 

 nancy should suffice to ensure exact diagnosis ; also, part 

 of it may admit of being returned into the belly, and the 

 practised hand will detect the margins of the opening 

 through which the hernia has taken place. Corby, of 

 Hackney, has related ('Veterinarian,' April, 1871) a case 

 in which a herniated horn of the uterus contained a dead 

 and decomposed foetus, after removal of which, even, the 

 uterine cornu could not be returned. This displacement 

 is generally due to injuries, such as kicks and blows, but 

 it also may result from straining in cases of constipation. 

 In some cases the hernia is complete, even the body of 

 the womb being contained in the sac. It is usually 

 advisable not to interfere surgically with such a hernia. 

 As long as the animal remains unimpregnated the tumour 

 will cause little or no inconvenience, and even as rhany as 

 three pups contained in a herniated uterus have been got 

 rid of in the ordinary course of parturition without com- 

 plication. In cases of hernia where parturition cannot 

 take place, division of the neck of the opening may be 

 tried and the womb returned into the belly. Metritis is 

 rather liable to follow, and Fleming (' Veterinary Obstet- 

 rics ') strongly advocates that early gastro-hysterotomy be 

 performed in preference to herniotomy, or even that ampu- 

 tation of the herniated cornu be tried. Kopp recorded 

 ('Gaz. Med. de Strassburg/ 1875) a most interesting case 

 of removal of three pups by the Caesarian operation and 

 natural birth of a fourth before the operation. 



Toesio Uteri in carnivora is not the complex twisting 

 of the whole organ on its neck, such as we see in the 

 cow, but a contraction of the long cornua and their 

 entanglement, either together or in the broad ligament. 

 This lesion is rare, and hardly admits of exact diagnosis. 

 It probably results from special activity of the vermi- 

 cular contractions of the uterine cornua seen in female 

 carnivores. 



