MY FIRST CiESARIAN SECTION IN THE COW. 
609 
We likewise recommend that action on the resolution of¬ 
fered in Chicago, by Dr. L. McLean, be indefinitely postponed. 
MY FIRST C/ESARIAN SECTION IN THE COW. 
By A. Babb, A.B., M.D.C., Springfield, Mo. 
A Paper read before the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association.. 
The operation of gastro-hysterotomy is fraught with so 
much gravity that it is justly employed only as a dernier 
resort , and consequently the cases in a general practice where 
it is clearly indicated are comparatively rare. The general 
lack of aseptic surroundings in the barns and stables of our do¬ 
mestic animals complicate the after treatment, a-nd their small 
pecuniary values decrease the number of visits of the surgeon. 
Both these factors still further reduce the chances of recovery 
to a minimum. 
About six o’clock on the sixth of last April a gentleman 
hastened into my office and told me that a fine, red cow, be¬ 
longing to Mr. T., at the corner of Twelfth and Laurel sts., had 
been in labor since morning. 
My aid having been requested, it took but a few minutes 
to place the usual obstetrical outfit in the buggy and repair 
to the scene of action. A glance told me that my bovine 
sufferer was well nigh exhausted, and a moment more, that 
her throes were very forcible and very frequent. Her own¬ 
er informed me that this was her seventh calf, that she had 
had vigorous expulsive efforts since morning, and that he was 
at a loss to see why the trouble should occur. After hastily 
doffing my suit and donning apparel appropriate to such 
cases, an examination was made at once. Barring a partial 
prolapse of the vagina, everything normal till the os uteri was 
reached: it was so indurated as to exclude the introduction 
of as much as the smallest finger, in fact complete atresia 
seemed to be present. 
The owner was apprised of the situation, informed that 
the calf could be saved by the Cassarian operation, but a 
decidedly unfavorable prognosis given for the cow. He was 
