382 
UNUSUAL AN1> DIFFICULT PARTURITION. 
The ewe lying on her back, we brought together the edges of 
the wound by means of the suture that is generally used for 
wounds penetrating into the abdomen. One part of the tissue 
which surrounded the opening was in a gangrenous state, and 
would soon be eliminated if suppuration could be established. 
We gently applied an ainmoniacal liniment on the part) covered it 
as quickly as we could with a bandage, and gave her a little warm 
sugared wine. 
On the morrow, and for some days afterward, she was much 
depressed, and would not take any food. The suture was not in 
the slightest degree disturbed. The same means were used 
externally, and some light, tonic, analeptic medicine forced upon 
her. 
Eight days after the operation the appetite began a little to 
return, and suppuration was established in the wound. It became 
more abundant, and, with some softened and putrefied portions 
of the uterus and integument, the envelopes of the foetus were 
discharged. The suture had eaten through the membranes, and 
no longer closed the wound ; and a part of the epiploon, of a deep 
brown red colour, had escaped, and formed a hernia. This was 
cut away, and an approach of the edges of the wound was again 
attempted, but, as may be readily supposed, very imperfectly 
accomplished. The wound was preserved as much as possible 
from contact with the air, and a bandage was contrived of a 
corset, laced, which passed round the body. 
Every day the wound was dressed with camphorated tincture 
of aloes, and with chloride of lime, diluted with water: soup 
and thickened milk were given internally. 
For some considerable time afterwards, offensive matter was 
occasionally discharged from the wound. The strength of the 
animal increased more and more every day; rumination was 
established ; and healthy granulations began to form. In forty- 
five days the cicatrization was complete. 
Six months after the accident she had recovered all her embon- 
point, when she was sent to the butcher, without my being in- 
formed of the circumstance. 
From the account that has been given, it will be difficult posi- 
tively to determine whether the presence of the foetus in the ab- 
domen was the consequence of extra-uterine gestation, or whether 
it had remained its full time in the womb, from which it could 
not be expelled in the ordinary way. 
In the last case, however, it would have occurred that, in con- 
sequence of a rupture of the womb, it would have been forced 
from its first, abode, and have fallen into the abdominal cavity ; 
but, then, the displacement of the foetus, the escape of the fluid 
contained in the uterus, and of the blood, and of the foetus itself. 
