100 
H. P. KEELY. 
exterior of the body. Before leaving our subject we must never 
forget to order the cow so placed that she will stand or lie high 
behind and low in front. 
After-Treatment .—This must be governed by the individual 
case and by meeting emergencies as they arise. Keep the cow 
standing high behind. Avoid constipation. Feed so as to 
keep the bowels open, give no very cold water, if there be fever 
treat accordingly, if there is straining yon may give anodynes, 
but nothing that will constipate ; cannabis indica may be given, 
its tendency to constipate is not great. We may put a tight 
girth around the body or chest. The pessary or suture may 
safely be left as long as deemed necesary, as they do not inter¬ 
fere with the natural functions—defecation and micturation. 
Ampntation .—About this method of treatment I shall have 
but little to say. I tried it once—result, dead cow. It hap¬ 
pened when I was in that stage of my professional career when 
a man is ready to do or try anything that the owner will per¬ 
mit, just for the sake of the experience or to see how it will go 
anyhow. The owner came to me wanting to know whether I 
would not amputate a cow’s uterus. He said he had replaced 
it and sewed her up several times, but it would not stay. I 
went with him and started in to exhibit my superior knowledge 
and skill. I ligated, as I thought, sufficiently tight, and started 
to amputate with the ecraseur. I probably cut too close to my 
ligature and it slipped, and perhaps I used the ecraseur too rap¬ 
idly ; but anyhow the blood came in the thickest stream I ever 
saw and the cow promptly died. Fortunately the man had the 
cow insured and felt as little inclined to talk about it as I did. 
I would not now, however, hesitate, with hope of more suc¬ 
cess, to amputate a uterus where I thought it was really indi¬ 
cated, where I was sure all other methods had failed or it 
had become gangrenous or much lacerated. 
When Cuba is Free, and peace is restored, all the devastated 
plantations will have to be stocked with American horses and 
mules, which will open up a lively trade for our breeders. 
