98 
,T. C. MYERS, JR. 
COMPLETE PROLAPSUS UTERI, 
By J. C. Myers, Jr., M.D., V.S. 
April 12th, 1881.—I was requested to repair to the country 
about four miles distant, to render obstetrical services to a cow. 
On my arrival, instead of encountering a case of dystocia, as 
represented, I found the patient prostrate in the stable, with a 
dead calf lying behind her in a pool of blood, and the uterus in¬ 
verted, with most of the placental attachments still adherent. My 
first act was to remove the foetus and coagulated blood. 
I then placed the uterus upon a rubber buggy apron, cleansed 
it with warm water, and began to detach the placenta from the 
cotyledons, as much as possible, without inviting hemorrhage. 
These preparatory measures being accomplished, I, with the aid 
of an assistant, who supported the fundus of the uterus, pro¬ 
ceeded to replace the misplaced organ, beginning at the cervical 
portion, and gradually engaging the body and then the fundus of 
the uterus, into the pelvic cavity, which readily dropped into the 
abdominal cavity. The cow made strenuous efforts to resist the 
operation, by frequent uterine contractions. Even after it was in 
situ she made repeated attempts to eject the organ, but the reten¬ 
tion of my hand within the uterus prevented a secondary prolap¬ 
sus until positive appliances could be adjusted to retain the unruly 
organ. 
Not knowing the nature of the case before leaving my office, I 
was unprepared to meet the emergency, and was, therefore, 
obliged to have recourse to the best means at my command. 
Before taking any steps in the operative procedure, I pre¬ 
pared a pessary out of a shovel handle, which acted admirably 
well, and it is this feature in the management of the case that 
prompted me to report it. The shovel handle measured from 50 
to 60 cm. in length, rounded off at the cut extremity, and notched 
at various points for a distance of 5 cm. from said end. This ser¬ 
rated arrangement served to fasten by means of twine a bulb 8 
to 10 cm. in diameter, made of old linen and cotton. The bul¬ 
bous portion of this self-made pessary was introduced into the 
