558 
COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY. 
the interior of the uterus, and about two quarts had been used 
before the animal appeared to be at all affected, excepting that the 
injection seemed to induce a sensation of discomfort. At last a 
feeble moan was uttered, which, when another pint or thereabouts 
had been injected, burst into something approaching to a cry. I 
then desisted. The tube was withdrawn, and, hoping that the 
symptom of pain resulted from the contraction of the organic fibre 
under the stimulating effects of the cold, the animal was ordered 
to be placed where nothing could disturb it. 
Having passed an hour in the company of my friend, when 
about to leave I requested to see the dog once more. The animal 
had been put into a hayloft, and I was pleasantly surprised to 
hear it give tongue on our approach : it came to meet us, and the 
change was such as I could not have anticipated. The parts had 
regained almost their natural appearance ; certainly they presented 
nothing to indicate the aspect they had exhibited only a few hours 
before. 
A mild aperient was given. The animal had no other medicine, 
neither was any local application used. For three days a slight 
discharge of a blackish colour was poured out; but then this 
stopped, and the animal was returned to its owner cured. 
This case to me appears to be important : it seems to indicate 
that we have at our command an agent which is powerful in its 
action, and always to be procured. Judging from the operation 
of cold water in this instance, it seems to be as harmless as it is 
active. Its influence over the uterus has long been known, but 
it has hitherto been employed only as an external application. To 
bring it into direct contact with an organ so sensitive as the womb 
appears to be a violent measure, from which the feeling revolts. 
I do not wonder that in human practice it has not been resorted to; 
but, when we reason on the matter, many of the objections which 
at first oppose its employment are dispelled. There is in the body 
no organ gifted with such ability to endure as this, for it survives 
that violence which no other could sustain. During the most easy 
birth the womb sustains a struggle, and recovers from a shock 
such as no other viscus is exposed to undergo. This is not ex- 
plained by saying the uterus was ordained for such a trial; but we 
must admit that, when Nature formed a part for a certain purpose, 
she wisely endowed it with those powers which were necessary 
for the fulfilment of its office. The dangers of parturition are so 
numerous that delicacy is naturally attributed to the organ princi- 
pally concerned in the act; but though the body be always pros- 
trated, the uterus generally regains its vigour after its. burden is 
cast forth. There is on my part no desire to dispel those convic- 
tions which protect the female in the hour of labour ; but I am 
