34 INVERSION OF THE UTERUS OF A COW. 
the womb, as well as they could, by wrapping it in a sheet ; 
but notwithstanding the care that had been taken, it was 
very much swollen and discoloured ; and portions of straw 
and dung adhered to it. Two persons had tried in vain to 
return it, and in doing so, had torn off several of the coty- 
ledons. The animal would not make the slightest effort to get 
up, and it was quite obvious that it was impossible to return 
it as she lay ; therefore, after carefully detaching the placenta, 
I washed it with warm milk and water, and then dressed it 
all over with a mixture of Tinct. Opii, brandy, and Ol. Lini. 
After which, with the aid of a strong rope attached to each hind 
leg, and two men supporting her loins with a sack, I drew 
her up a foot or more from the ground, and attached the rope 
to a beam above, two assistants all the while sustaining the 
womb with the sheet. I now applied my clenched hand to 
its fundus, and by pushing gently forward, I was enabled 
after some time to carry that portion of the womb into the 
vagina ; at the same time an assistant was pressing the sides 
moderately, so it was soon replaced, the position of the cow 
being so much in our favour. Before letting her down, I 
placed three sutures of strong white leather through the skin 
covering the ischial tuberosities, and which, when drawn 
moderately tight, completely covered the vagina. This I 
have found decidedly the best way of suturing in such cases, 
as it is almost impossible, with any force the cow can use, to 
break them. 
I gave her— 
Tinct. Opii, ^iv; 
Spt. iEther. Nit., ^ij ; 
Magnesia Sulph., ^x. 
in a draught ; told them to foment the parts during the 
night, packed her up, and made her as comfortable as cir- 
cumstances would permit. 
6th. — I found her straining a good deal; she had not 
been on her legs ; pulse 90, and there was a considerable 
swelling about the vagina ; but it was not discoloured. The 
medicine not having acted on her bowels, I repeated the 
salts, with the addition of Sulphur, ^ij, Antim. Tar., 31J, and 
Camphor, 3ij. Ordered her a little bran mash. The fomen- 
tations to be continued. 
7th. — She did not strain so much ; swelling of the vagina 
not increased ; her bowels had been freely acted upon ; 
pulse quieter. Gave her a little fever medicine, and directed 
them to give her gruel frequently, of which she seems very 
fond. 
