114 
REPORTS OF CASES. 
They told me further that the bitch seemed in pain, and had a 
discharge from the vulva. I suspected a possible abscess in the 
womb or even a metritis, and recommended the use of a vaginal 
douche. 
I was quite glad to find out since that the animal is doing 
well and no pups are coming. I should have said that this is 
now February, six months after spaying. 
Now, suppose the owner had not had more confidence in the 
veterinary than in the M. D. and had destroyed or gotten rid of 
the bitch without a post-mortem. 
Again, suppose he had sold it to the M. D. Would the 
latter not have felt a disagreeable sensation when bringing it 
back and saying, “here is your bitch, she has had no pups?” 
From this I wish to draw two lessons, very simple: The 
first is : Don’t make a diagnosis until you know what is the 
matter. The second is : Remember that other people know 
something too. 
GASTRO-HYSTEROTOMY IN A PRIMIPAROUS TWO-YEAR-OED COW» 
By E. M. Nighbert, V. S., Mt. Sterling, Ill. 
During my practice last summer I was called to Mr. H-’s 
farm to attend a case of difficult parturition. Patient was a well- 
bred black poll heifer, in high condition. She was unable to rise, 
suffering from partial paralysis, the result of twenty-four hours’^ 
labor. Upon examination I found complete occlusion of the 
os, and was unable to detect the presence of foetus. I made ■ 
examination per rectum and could plainly feel the foetus and 
that it was alive. I then made diligent effort to make my way 
into the womb, but, finding the os of such a hard nature and 
enlarged, my efforts were in vain. I resorted to the “ Caesarean 
section.” I turned patient on right side and secured both hind 
and front limbs with ropes. I then made a large incision in the 
left flank over the posterior portion of the rumen. The uterus 
was then in sight. I made incision through its walls and ex¬ 
tracted a living fine bull calf. It did well and now goes by the 
name of “ Caesar.” 
The mother being paralyzed and greatly exhausted, I or¬ 
dered her destroyed. 
AtUopsy .—Os was of a hard fibroid nature and about three 
inches thick and would almost creak under the knife—other 
organs normal. 
Note .—This is the second case that has come under my no¬ 
tice, the first being a ewe. 
