738 
REPORTS OF CASES. 
On examination the foetus was found entirely enveloped 
by the membranes, and on opening - these, the liquor anini was 
found to be quite absorbed, and the membranes, which were 
very pale, thin, friable and quite structureless, fitted very 
closely to the foetus. The foetus, with the exception of ab¬ 
sorption of the eyes, was not decomposed at all. It was some¬ 
what mummified, being only slightly moist from its contact 
with the membranes. From its size it appeared to be about 
three and a half to four months old. 
On examining the cow, the os cervix was found fairly 
dilated, but still appeared to be thick ; the uterus was some¬ 
what conti'acted. 
A slight discharge of foetid and disorganized pus and 
mucus was discharged from the uterus, though but little 
liquid of any kind, and no blood, had been expelled with the 
foetus. 
The uterus was at once thoroughly washed out with two 
or three gallons of a warm solution of potassoe permanganate. 
The cow appeared not to suffer the least shock from this abor¬ 
tion, in fact, so far as could be observed she was in perfect 
health. 
Much care is taken on this ranch to keep an accurate 
record of dates of breeding of cows, and by reference to this 
record, this cow was served by the bull the last time on De¬ 
cember 15th, 1890, just thirteen months prior to this abortion. 
There was no possibility of her having been served accident¬ 
ally during the interim, hence, assuming that this foetus was 
four months old, she must have been carrying it dead for nine 
months, without any apparent injury to her health. This 
abortion was no doubt caused directly by my irritation ol the 
cervix on the 12th, three days prior, but had not this occurred 
it is quite uncertain how long she might have carried this 
foetus. 
This cow had not at any time shown signs of calving, hav¬ 
ing been dry for some time, though for a couple of weeks 
about the latter part of October, 1891, she had a slight dis¬ 
charge of a glary mucous per vagina. She is now eleven 
years old, and has always been a regular breeder. 
