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CASES OF ABORTION IN A COW, OF DIFFICULT 
PARTURITION IN A BITCH, AND IN A SOW. 
By Mr. John Nelson, Highfield, Sheffield. 
Case I, July 1847, I was called in to attend a cow, seven 
years old, belonging to Mr. Isaac Bradley, Park-side, Stannington. 
On inquiry I was informed that, about a week ago, the cow 
evinced symptoms of abortion, by frequent straining and dis- 
charge of bloody matter from the womb. She was within four 
months of her full period of utero-gestation. When I arrived 
I found her standing with her back up, and straining very much, 
shewing evident signs of acute labour-pains; at the same time, 
there was no appearance of the placenta, and but slight discharge. 
I proceeded to examine the uterus, but it was with the greatest 
difficulty I could introduce three fingers into the os uteri ; notwith- 
standing I was informed that the hand of a man had been introduced 
the day before, and that then there could be felt much abrasion of 
the parts, which had since under the circumstances contracted. 
I informed Mr. B. that he had allowed the proper time for ex- 
tracting the foetus to pass by, which was when the cow shewed the 
first symptoms of abortion ; and that therefore there remained no 
chance now, but to give a little medicine, and leave her to Nature. 
I therefore left a few doses of aperient combined with fever and 
carminative medicine, to be given once per day in gruel ; directing 
that the cow be kept comfortable, and that she might be allowed 
to run in the field when the weather would permit, and to let me 
know if she did not go on right. 
Nov. 13/A. — Mr. B. informed me the cow gradually recovered 
after 1 saw her. For some time she discharged much from the 
womb, but he could not see any of the bones of the foetus amongst 
it. In about eight weeks she came into use, took the bull, and 
now, as he believes, she is in calf. 
Case II. Sept. 5, 1847. — Mr. Bennet, South-street, Sheffield, 
brought to me a small bitch of the springer breed. On inquiry, I 
was informed that the bitch had, on the previous day, shewed 
symptoms of pupping, and that, since, she had been very uneasy, 
and was now much exhausted and weak. Accordingly, I exa- 
mined the vagina, but could introduce no more than my fore- 
finger, she being so diminutive — but nine inches high. I found 
the fore extremities of a dead pup in the vagina, but could feel no 
head. I concluded that it must be turned over upon its side, 
there being no room to bring away the foetus, but by piecemeal ; 
I therefore applied my parturition forceps for small animals to one 
of the extremities, and twisted it off at its base ; the other I served 
