CASE OF HYDROPS UTERI IN A COW. 
613 
perfectly closed and healthy. The opening in the os uteri pointed 
downwards, and there would be some difficulty in passing a catheter 
into the uterus. I next examined her per rectum , and could feel 
the uterus under my hand very distinctly, and much enlarged. I 
cannot feel the foetus. I can pass it over the uterus to a great 
extent, and my hand can be felt pressing on it on the outside of 
the right side. I am now fully convinced that the water lies in 
the uterus, and not in the abdomen, and am determined to introduce 
the trochar into the uterus through the right side. 
Operation . — Having obtained plenty of assistance, I got one 
man to hold her by the nose, and another her hind legs with a 
hough-band; and after drawing the skin backwards a little where 
I intended to puncture, I plunged a trochar, four and a-half inches 
long, into the uterus, midway between the ribs and the stifle, or, if 
any thing, a little lower. 
On withdrawing the trochar, the water issued out in a full stream, 
as clear as crystal, and in this way, without the least intermission, 
we drew off twenty-five gallons ; but, in consequence of the cow 
hoosing, the uterus was forced from off the canula, leaving it within 
the abdomen, between the peritoneum and the bowels, thus clearly 
proving that the water was contained in the uterus. I then with- 
drew the canula. She now appeared rather faintish, and tottered 
about, and I thought she would have fallen down, but shortly after 
she rallied a little. In consequence of the removal of such a large 
quantity of water, I passed a body-roller around the abdomen to 
give it support, gave her a little ale and whey, ordered her mashes 
and moderate diet, and to be kept quiet. 
4 th . — Going on well. No symptom of casting the foetus, and 
she seems perfectly easy. Left four cordial diuretic drinks. 
8 th . — Still going on well. No straining has yet taken place. 
Feeds well, and looks more active and lively. Turned her out a 
little to-day. 
10 th . — This day some cleansing came away, but no more water 
was seen voided, nor has there been any straining. 
15th . — I saw her this day. She looked hollower than usual, and 
I fancy she must have voided more water from the uterus unknown 
to them. Feeds well, and is kind in the skin. Gives three of 
four quarts of milk at a time. I introduced my hand up the vagina 
to ascertain whether I could extract the foetus, but found the os 
uteri nearly closed, as I could only get my fore-finger into it, which 
I fancied was rather harder than when I last felt it. I then in- 
troduced my arm up the rectum, and I could feel the foetus at a 
good distance from me, but not very distinctly, as it was too far off. 
I ordered her to have good keep, and not to be exposed to the wet. 
There is very little discharge from the vagina. 
