ON HYDJKOPS UTERI. 
13 
riorly to the intestines, and may be safely punctured from between 
the udder and the umbilicus. The other place is the off side of 
the abdomen. Now, as the uterus, in ordinary cases, is generally 
found more towards the off side, and particularly so when it is dis- 
tended in consequence of this disease, there can be no doubt but 
what it may be readily and safely punctured in the flank, on an 
horizontal line, a little above the stifle. It may be asked by some, 
“ which is the best place to puncture through]” In reply, I would 
say that, provided we could gain admission through the vagina 
and os uteri, the latter would be by far the preferable place, since 
there would be no danger of injuring the intestines, or of the uterus 
escaping from the catheter, as by the other methods. Another ques- 
tion may arise, Suppose you cannot puncture through the os uteri, 
which of the other two places is the best I I think it would be diffi- 
cult to say which of these places would be the preferable one. It 
would be a mere matter of choice or convenience, according to the 
position the animal may be in at the time, or the uterus supposed to 
be situated, as I fancy one would be as safe as the other. It need 
scarcely be mentioned by me, that, under whatever circumstance the 
operation is performed, the constitution must be attended to, and 
proper tonic medicines administered ; and also, wherever the trocar 
is introduced, it must be plunged in boldly at once to its proper 
depth. A canula of rather unusual length should be used, for it 
will be seen that in one instance, on puncturing through the side, 
after drawing off twenty-five gallons of water, the animal gave a 
cough, and forced the uterus from off the canula, whilst five or ten 
gallons remained. For the three following valuable cases I am in- 
debted to Mr. John Steele, veterinary surgeon, Biggar, Lanarkshire.* 
Case I. — In 1837 I was requested to visit a cow, the property 
of Mr. T. Spence, of Symington, three miles from Biggar. I 
found her in a bad condition — coat dry and staring — abdomen 
very much enlarged. I gave my opinion that it was a case of 
drops} 7 of the uterus, and proposed tapping, which was readily 
agreed to by Mr. Spence. The operation was performed the fol- 
lowing afternoon, as already described. A great quantity of fluid 
was discharged ; calving pains came on within eighteen hours ; 
but, being from home when sent for, it was late in the evening be- 
fore 1 got there : Mr. Spence would let no other person interfere. 
I found the cow a good deal exhausted. The calf was pretty easily 
brought away ; but she sank in the course of two days. J am still 
of opinion, that if this cow had been sooner delivered, and properly 
nursed afterwards, she would have recovered. 
* I hope to finish this subject in your next. — W. A. C. 
