88 



On Abortion in Cows. 



and apparently depend on the already irritable calf-bed suffering 

 under additional excitement induced by the dead weight and 

 peculiar position of the cleansing, now to be regarded as a foreign 

 body, and which it is desirable to expel. After ordinary par- 

 turition these straining efforts are sometimes so energetic as to 

 cause " throwing down " of the uterus. Although this accident 

 seldom occurs after abortion, in consequence of the small size of 

 the OS uteri and outer passages, yet, for the relief of the animal, 

 it is desirable that, if possible, these pains should be overcome. 

 Two or three ounces of tincture of opium and two ounces of 

 nitrous eether may occasionally be given in a quart of warm gruel. 

 The hand should be introduced to ascertain if the cleansing be 

 loosened and, as is sometimes the case, entangled upon itself 

 near the neck of the uterus; if it can be removed, or even 

 drawn towards the vagina, straining mostly ceases. 



A cow after abortion should be fed on good food, but of such 

 a quality as will induce a lax condition of the bowels ; boiled 

 barley or linseed, cooked roots, as turnips and carrots, form 

 excellent diet. If from prolonged straining and other causes of 

 irritation she is so feverish as not to feed at all, she must be 

 offered plenty of drink, and if she will take flour or linseed gruel 

 sweetened with treacle, we need be under no great anxiety re- 

 garding her not feeding. Provided she will neither eat nor 

 drinkj we must (during the time our best endeavours are directed 

 to the removal of the real cause of irritation and fever) support 

 her by administering gruel with a horn or bottle. The stimulat- 

 ing drenches of the farrier and cowleech must be strictly avoided ; 

 if any tonics or mild restoratives be really needed, the using of 

 them can only safely be intrusted to the veterinary surgeon. 



When abortion is caused by mechanical injuries suddenly 

 inflicted, the uterus sometimes begins to contract, and forces the 

 foetus into the os uteri and vagina before these organs have been 

 sufficiently dilated to allow its free expulsion. The cow may 

 even continue straining for days, and all her efforts only seem to 

 impact the foetus still more firmly, and some part of it, as the 

 head, neck, or feet and legs, will for this period protrude from 

 the vulva. In some cases her strength becomes exhausted, and 

 she may die undelivered. This untoward event more particu- 

 larly occurs to young animals, where the passages to the uterus 

 have not acquired ihat capacity which they attain during the 

 process of natural parturition. The assistance of an experienced 

 practitioner is required here, and, for the safety of the mother, 

 he frequently finds it needful to dissect away the foetus piece- 

 meal. In some cases firm and judiciously applied pulling 

 force will be sufficient to effect its abstraction ; in others an 

 incision may be made with a suitable knife along the lower part 



