RETENTIO SECUNDINARUM IN THE COW. 
95 
use of half ounce doses of carbonate of potassium, together with 
slimy fluids, such as flaxseed or hempseed tea, will be indicated. 
However, in practice, we will often find cases, for instance, in fat 
and strong cows, where it will be proper to combine carbonate of 
potassium with savin or juniper berries, for the purpose of at once 
effecting detachment of the membranes and expulsive contractions 
of the uterus. Provided that the general condition of the cow 
remains unimpaired, these remedies may be continued during six 
to eight days. Should, however, loss of appetite and diarrhoea 
set in, the use of savin must be discontinued. 
If, in spite of internal treatment, the afterbirth should be re 
tained, it will be proper, after a week’s time, to attempt its re¬ 
moval. This may be effected either by winding it off by means 
of one or two sticks, or by inserting the hand into the uterus and 
detaching the adhesions with the fingers. If, on account of a tender 
or friable condition of the membranes, the winding process does 
not succeed, and it is allowed to remain until it passes off in a de¬ 
composed condition, the floor of the stall should be arranged to 
make the cow stand much lower with the hinder parts; and with 
a view of abating the fetid odor and to wash out detached portions 
of membrane, it will be proper to use frequent injections of a 
weak solution of chloride of lime, which should be made with 
blood warm water and used immediately. 
The removal of the afterbirth is indicated in cases where the 
cow strains violently after calving, so that eversion of the uterus 
may be feared; furthermore, when the usual remedies have been 
employed without effect; and, lastly, when the general condition 
of the animal is disturbed, and we have reason to fear the appear¬ 
ance of inflammation and absorption of decomposed matter. As 
already mentioned, the removal may be effected by winding it off. 
This process generally proves successful when the membranes are 
strong, which they generally are in cases of abortion, or when sev¬ 
eral placentulae already have made their appearance externally, 
and this method is both the most convenient for the operator and 
the least dangerous to the cow. While engaged in the winding, 
the afterbirth should not be otherwise pulled in, and the winding 
should proceed by turning the stick in an upward and forward di- 
