8 
V ET E R I N A R Y OBST ET R I C Y . 
calving, without any assignable cause other than from the general 
irritation of the system consequent on parturition. I have known 
it to occur after premature labour from over-exertion in travelling. 
It is rare after ordinary abortion. 
Cases now and then happen, but they are very rare, where 
one of the horns of the uterus becomes inverted on its axis, and 
have been strangulated with the broad ligament. Once I saw a 
case where the uterus was partially inverted, and 1 have every 
reason to believe was strangulated and pressed on by the con- 
traction of the os uteri. 
Treatment . — Before we begin to return it to its natural situation 
we must have plenty of assistance at hand, and, if possible, get 
her to stand up if she is down. One of the assistants should lay 
hold of the cow by the horn and nose, another should press down 
her back, or goad her to keep her, if possible, quiet. If it is a 
mare put the twitch, or side line, or hobbles on. We should then 
lift the uterus on a clean cloth, which should be supported by a 
person on each side ; then separate the placenta from the coty- 
ledons, in doing which we should be careful of not tearing any of 
them off, though I have seen some of them accidentally removed 
without any ill effect. If it is dirty, wash and clean it with warm 
milk and water, or any mucilaginous decoction of herbs. We 
should then place our clenched fist against the fundus, or extreme 
end of the uterus and force it again into its proper place. In doing 
so, we should, with our other hand and other assistants, gradually 
and steadily force the sides of the uterus in, and which will, in a 
great measure, take off a deal of the pressure caused by the fist, 
and which might otherwise rupture the uterus. 
It will generally be found that when about half of it is returned 
it will begin to slip in very easily. We must be careful to pass 
our arm sufficiently far up in the body until the whole of the 
uterus has become re-inverted. Some persons are in the habit of 
placing a clean napkin over the fist and arm, which, perhaps, may 
assist in drawing in the sides of the uterus, by becoming in a 
measure attached to it. It may also prevent inoculation of the 
arm, which I have in several instances experienced to a painful 
degree. 
Mr. Climenson, in an Essay recently read before the Veterinary 
Medical Association, has said, “ it has been stated by authors 
that you may take hold of the fundus, and thus put it back. 
I never could do it in this way, and I very much question if they 
could. When you consider the immense mass which the uterus 
forms, I think there is an absurdity in thus talking about it. We 
know how small the vulvular opening is, and that the uterus is 
always very much increased in size after parturition.” Now, for 
