DIFFICULT PARTURITION IN A COW. 
79 
Examination after death exhibited the extensive swellings, be- 
coming in a manner lardaceons, and containing a great deal of 
serosity. The peritoneal membrane presented several black in- 
flamed spots. The milk was coagulated in the left teat, which 
was the nearest to the bite. 
These cases prove, that, notwithstanding the immense differ- 
ence of size between our larger animals and the viper, this rep- 
tile can inflict a bite which will be speedily fatal, unless proper 
means are taken to oppose the influence of the poison. It is 
generally believed in this country that it is the smell of the milk 
which attracts the viper. I know not now far this notion is well 
founded, but almost every wound of this kind that I have seen 
has been in the neighbourhood of the udder. Perhaps the thin- 
ness of the skin at this part may have something to do with it. 
Recueil de Med. Vet. 
A CASE OF DIFFICULT PARTURITION IN A COW. 
By Mr. Cartwright, Whitchurch. 
In the month of January last, a farmer in this neighbourhood 
purchased a three-year old heifer of a person in this town, who 
had bought her a few days before at Chester fair. She was a 
plump sort of thing, of the short-horned breed, and was expected 
to calve in April. 
21 st Mai / , 1836. — I was this day sent for to see her, as she 
was voiding water often, and straining occasionally a little. 
The owner said that neither he nor any one else could positively 
say whether she was in calf, as the calf could not be felt on the 
off side or any where else exteriorly, and he therefore wished me 
to examine her. I, like the rest, could not feel one outside. 
On introducing my hand up the rectum, I could feel a large 
tumour, which pressed very much upon it (the rectum), so 
that I could scarcely get my hand up. On examining her 
through the vagina, I could also feel a large tumour, and which 
was, no doubt, the distended uterus. The tumour was about a 
foot from the vulva. The os uteri was not at all dilated, and lay 
not horizontally straight before me, but a little lower down ; 
and I could just put my finger into it, on bending the finger down- 
wards. 
I persuaded him to leave her alone for awhile, and merely give 
her an aperient drink of salts. 
22c/.— -About the same : her udder is now quite distended, and 
