130 AMPUTATION OF THE WOMB OF A SOW. 
examination per vaginam, I was surprised to find the uterus 
quite closed . I then translated my hand to the rectum , and 
explored it from above. Here I could only satisfy myself 
that the uterus was tenanted by an incomprehensible mass 
of matter, and the sooner it was ejected the better. I again 
placed my hand in the vagina , and after some fifteen minutes 
patience and perseverance, by a steady and gentle rotatory 
motion, succeeded in introducing one finger into the cervix 
of the womb ; upon the w ithdrawal of which, at least two 
gallons of laudable pus escaped, and then followed a scene 
W'orth a long journey to witness. A change of countenance 
depicting misery and pain , and as w 7 as thought by all, ap- 
proaching death , to one of cheerfulness beaming w T ith delight. 
The animal devoured a large mash afterwards, and, from that 
time, all was well. A slight discharge continued for a few 
successive days, when it entirely ceased, and the owner sold 
her a month after, to use his own words, as <c a right one. 5 ’ 
The medicinal treatment resorted to consisted in giving a 
carminative drink or two. 
AMPUTATION OF THE WOMB OF A SOW. 
By the Same. 
Some few 7 cases of the above operation being had recourse 
to in the cow, are recorded; but mine is in a low 7 er patient, 
yet, in this instance, not one of less value ; namely, a sow. 
In the early part of March, 1853, being in attendance on 
some horses at Lord St. John’s, Milchtown Park, Beds., 1 
was solicited to look at a remarkable fine sow. The day 
prior, after giving birth to twelve fine pigs, eleven of w hich 
w ere living, an inversion of the uterus had taken place. It 
had been twice put back and sutured ineffectually. It now pre- 
sented a most disgusting appearance, as it w as fast approach- 
ing to gangrene . The labia, perineum, and abdomen had lost 
their healthy hue ; her lacteal secretion, from being at first 
great, had now become quite suspended, and her little family 
w T ere searching in vain for more of their natural food. Know- 
ing that what I did, however the case might terminate, w 7 ould 
be satisfactory, after placing tw ? o strong ligatures around the 
cervix uteri, I at once excised the organ, as the only chance, 
and that a remote one, of saving my patient. The adjacent 
parts were then well covered with linseed oil, the only emol- 
lient agent at hand. I ordered that she should be plentifully 
