Diseases occurring after Parturition in Cows and Slieep. 569 



In many of these cases the general health is unimpaired, but, it* 

 there be any fever present, it may be advisable to withdraw a few 

 quarts of blood ; whether this be done or not, a brisk saline 

 cathartic should certainly be administered. After its operation, 

 small doses of nitric ether, with spirits of turpentine — say an 

 ounce of each — should be given in some linseed infusion; if 

 there be any straining, an ounce of laudanum may be added. 

 The heemorrhage continuing unchecked after the lapse of a few 

 days, creosote, in doses of a dram, may be combined with the 

 two first medicines. If the cow be in low condition, some tonics, 

 as gentian-root, ginger, and carraways, should be added, the diet 

 also being of a generous nature. If, on the contrary, she be 

 plethoric, the cathartic may be repeated after an interval of a 

 lew days. Some of these cases prove extremely obstinate, and 

 then it will be serviceable to remove the hair from over the loins, 

 and well rub in some counter irritant ; the ointment of the binio- 

 dide of mercury, in the proportion of one dram to the ounce 

 of lard, will be the best."^ Sometimes, after much violence has 

 been used in extracting the calf, or in heifers in whom the genitals 

 are not sufficiently relaxed, the vaginal canal will be much bruised, 

 and even sloughing of some portion of the lining membrane may- 

 take place, with a foetid discharge from the vulva. A portion of 

 tow, saturated with the black oils, should be carried with the 

 hand into the canal, and brought in contact with its parietes ; 

 after which, it must be withdrawn. If there be much straining 

 or fever, the treatment recommended in inflammation of the 

 womb should be adopted : if the external labia should be torn, 

 one or more sutures, as may be required, of stout packthread 

 must be introduced to bring the parts in apposition ; but the 

 flexible suture wire, invented by Professor Simonds, is a far 

 preferable agent. Inversion of the vaginal canal is sometimes 

 present, the os uteri often presenting at the vulva. This most 

 frequently takes place a few weeks before calving ; nevertheless. 



* The disease here alluded to under the term of red-water is of frequent occurrence, 

 as a sequela of parturition, in the eastern counties of England. The attack, which 

 is ushered in by diarrhoea, usually comes on about a fortnight after calving, and very 

 rarely occurs subsequent to the third week. It is attended with much constitutional 

 disturbance, and many animals fall victims to the malady. Although the urine is so 

 changed, both in quality and colour, as to become the most prom.inent symptom, still 

 it is evident that a disturbance of the digestive and assimilative functions constitutes 

 the essence, as it were, of the disease. 



The bleeding recommended by the author is stoutly opposed by many veterinary 

 surgeons, and also by the owners of the animals, from the frequent cases of fata] relapse 

 which quickly succeed the withdrawal of blood. We, however, can speak practically 

 of the good effects attending the removal of a small quaniity of blood, but the greatest 

 possible cautioii should be exercised in these bleedings, so as to arrest the flow the 

 instant the pulse weavers or is lessened in force. From these remarks it will be evident 

 that none but a veterinary-surgeon should ever venture to bleed an animal suffering 

 from " the red-water of parturition." — T. Beart Simonds. 



