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PROTRACTED PARTURITION IN THE SHEEP. 
her, and seemed but little disheartened : I, therefore, well oiled 
my hand, &c., and, with a little manoeuvering, introduced it so far 
within the vulva and vagina that I could easily detect the mouth 
of the uterus, which appeared to me totally impervious, but did 
not feel to possess that gristly cartilaginous character which I have 
found in cattle. I now used my utmost skill, but could not detect 
the smallest opening into the uterus, it feeling as if completely 
closed up. In making this examination I could detect the foetus 
in utero, but not, as I imagined, situated so as to expedite delivery, 
had that been attempted. The idea now struck me it might be a 
case of false labour, which I communicated to the owner, letting him 
know that, as far as I could judge, as the animal was under no im- 
mediate danger, we had better defer our assistance, wait awhile, 
and see the result. To this he consented ; but still he put the 
questions — Could she not be operated upon either by dividing the 
os uteri and trying to extract the foetus, or by performing the Cae- 
sarean operation, or, as my friend termed it, taking it out at the 
side ] To the first query I made answer, that since the edges of 
the os uteri were so closely approximated, and its mouth so com- 
pletely, as it were, sealed up, and since, from the small size of the 
animal, so little space was allowed for the operation, I considered 
it would be a most difficult and therefore an unsafe operation. And, 
as to the second, I gave a flat denial, not considering it, under ex- 
isting symptoms, a warrantable operation. But if he would respite 
the patient for twenty-four hours or so longer, and more favourable 
symptoms should not be found presenting themselves, but, on the 
contrary, worse should make their appearance, I would then use 
my utmost efforts to relieve my patient. Well, in this also we 
agreed, and I left with the usual instructions recommended in such 
cases. 
\lth . — Called to see my patient — found her in a recumbent 
position, ruminating, without any apparent pain; looking altogether, 
in fact, as if nothing ailed her. With difficulty I caught her to ex- 
amine her parts. I found the inflammatory symptoms abated, 
though still a little relaxed, and the udder shewing a little fuller. 
I now informed the owner that our case appeared more hopeful, 
and that, if he would keep her in a quiet situation for a few days, 
all might yet be well. To make short, from this period the animal 
remained easy, feeding and ruminating as usual upon cut grass, 
& c., up to the morning of the 19th ; when, on visiting her — lo and 
behold — was found by the side of its mother a fine young lamb, 
sent into this world of troubles without the aid of man. And both 
have done well. , . 
Now, Mr. Editor, suppose I had taken the case up in another 
