804 TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 
broad ligaments of tbe uterus on the right side had taken 
place. By the rectal and vaginal explorations the organ which 
contained the liquid was finally determined upon. 
Prognosis .—An account was given to the owner of the cow 
of the nature and gravity of the case, and the danger of an 
operation which afforded the only chance of relieving the 
animal; while, on the other hand, asphyxia, by the pressure 
of the diaphragm, would be unavoidable if an operation was 
not resorted to. In the one case was certain death, in the 
other there was some slight hope of saving the animal. The 
operation was determined on, and fixed for the next day. To 
ascertain whether the calf was alive, the right hypochondriac 
region was carefully examined, but neither to the sight nor 
touch was there any sign of motion; the conclusion there¬ 
fore was that the foetus was dead. The operation was com¬ 
menced by endeavouring to dilate the os uteri. At the end of 
a quarter of an hour the author was only enabled to introduce 
the index finger up to the second joint. He endeavoured by a 
rotary motion to enlarge it, but without success. He then 
took a urethal catheter of Braguiez, which he introduced 
into the opening, making the same movements with it as he 
had with the index finger, and succeeded in overcoming the 
obstacle. He withdrew the stiletto of the catheter, but no 
fluid followed. He then discovered that the catheter was much 
bent in tw r o places. After having straightened it carefully 
and reintroduced it, but with the same result, he again tried to 
dilate the os uteri with his fingers, and was now enabled to 
introduce the middle finger as well as the index. Upon again 
introducing the catheter without success, he came to the con¬ 
clusion that he had to deal with extra-membranous dropsy. 
The catheter introduced served to direct the point of the 
stiletto, by means of "which he now attempted to pierce the 
foetal membranes. This w as repeated several times, but without 
the slightest effect, except that about half a pint of fluid 
came out of the pouch formed by the border of the pelvis and 
the uterus. This contained a few flakes of a whitish colour, 
which were forced out by flexion of the hand, and afforded 
some hope that the section of the cervix might be avoided. 
On introducing the catheter, after having cleaned and carefully 
examined it, he moved it in every direction, but all in vain. 
He now allowed the animal to lie down, and again repeated 
the last manipulation, without success. He thus found himself 
forced to incise the cervix uteri, which he did with the bis¬ 
toury, partly cased in tow to prevent wounding other parts. 
The incision was made in a downw ard and lateral direction, 
and was instantly followed by a violent gush of liquid, as 
