122 
THE CvESAREAN OPERATION ON A COW. 
sequence. The intestines were much inflated with gas, and pro¬ 
truded as far as the wound of the peritoneum extended. 
I now introduced my right hand, and distinctly felt the situation 
of the uterus and its contents, and was about to make an incision 
through the uterus, when the animal made a desperate struggle, 
and some of the small intestines escaped. I found it necessary for 
an assistant to introduce his hand, to prevent a repetition of this. 
The bladder was distended Avith urine, which proved somewhat 
troublesome, and I had no catheter at hand. I was now about to 
make a second attempt to open the uterus, when I accidentally felt 
the pulsation of a large artery. Had I divided the uterus in the 
same direction as the incision in the abdomen, I should have cut 
the artery. Was it the uterine or vaginal artery] I placed my 
hand inferior to the vessel, and felt a young one. Next, with a 
scalpel in my right hand, guarded at the point by my fore-finger, 
fearing that the sow might struggle and the instrument wound some 
of the intestines, I cut through the uterus, introduced my finger, 
guarding the scalpel, and effected an opening into it about six inches 
in length. I then introduced my hand, laid hold of one of the 
foetal pigs, and drew it out. In this way I proceeded until I re¬ 
moved the whole number, which amounted to seven. 
The operation being thus far completed, her legs were drawn to¬ 
wards each other, which brought the lips of the wound into approx¬ 
imation, and I retained them there by strong adhesive plaisters, over 
which I placed a roller passing three times round her body. I 
now proceeded to examine my patient: she was, as might be ex¬ 
pected, in a very weak state, and when her head was raised it fell 
again upon my hand, as if she was dead. As she lay in this ex¬ 
hausted state, not a muscle except the inAmluntary ones moving, I 
gave her a little brandy and water, and then closed the door and 
left her. The general opinion of the bystanders was, that in a few 
minutes she would be dead: this was about 4 P.M. Indispensable 
business prevented me seeing her until ten o’clock, when I Avas 
glad to find my patient somewhat revived. I gave more brandy 
and beef tea, and left her for the night. 
At 6 A.M. there was a decided improvement. The extremities 
were warm ; the respiration tranquil, with an occasional grunt and 
pricking or moving of the ears; some faeces had passed during 
the night. I doubted whether the bladder had been emptied, and 
therefore introduced a small catheter, Avhich I use for sheep, &c. 
and took away a great quantity of water. I ordered more weak 
brandy and water, and broth. 
At 6 P.M. the symptoms Avere improving, excepting that the 
side surrounding the incision Avas a little SAvelled; I therefore 
ordered fomentations to be applied, using hot cloths, Avith but little 
water. 
