RETENTION OF A DEAD F(ETUS IN A COW. * 335 
there was no offensive smell nor any generation of air within 
the foetus, which so often exists when the umbilical cord 
has been ruptured for any length of time, e. g. for a few days, 
and the os uteri only slightly dilated. In this case the cord, 
however, was broken. Delivery was effected in a short time 
of a fine and fully-developed male calf. Examination of the 
uterus showed it to be in a healthy state. No other foetus 
appeared to be present. No trace of blood or sanguineous 
effusion of any kind existed, and the membranes came away 
shortly after delivery. Placenta healthy. Udder soft, and not 
much secretion of milk. I ordered opium and sulphite of 
soda at intervals, the latter to be repeated, if necessary, in 
accordance with instructions given. This had the effect of 
relieving the tympany, and the cow partook of a little mash 
and appeared to be doing well. 
Monday, March 10th.—The appetite, which for the past 
week had been capricious, was now bad. She partook of 
but little food ; tympany worse ; no secretion from vagina 
or straining: in the evening she appeared to be better. 
Tuesday.—I saw her for the second time, the symptoms 
w r ere intensified. An examination per vaginam showed the 
cervix uteri to be fairly closed and healthy to the feel, but 
upon withdrawing the hand a small quantity of a thin secre¬ 
tion, as though it consisted of whitish clay mixed with 
water, and of an inexpressible bad odour, followed. I 
expressed an opinion that she would die, that there was 
absorption of some morbific poison into the system, but 
from what cause I could not undertake to state. She died 
Thursday (morning), March 13th. 
Post-mortem examination .— The udder. —The whole of the 
glands contained milk. Those upon the near side were filled 
with healthy-looking milk; but those upon the off or milking 
side contained a secretion which stunk so badly, in fact, that 
I at first thought the animal must have bruised herself, and 
that sphacelus had occurred as a consequence. Further 
examination, however, proved such not to be the case, 
for it was the secretion alone which emitted the offensive 
odour. 
Abdomen. —All the viscera, except one to be described, 
were healthy. The left cornua of the uterus was also 
healthy, and properly contracted in accordance with the 
time elapsed. The maternal cotyledons were also well 
developed and healthy in appearance. 
The right cornua had a small opening leading to the 
cervix, through which continued to gravitate the same 
abominable secretion before described. Upon laying open 
lii, 24 
