REPORTS OF CASES. 
311 
whole. This left the acetabulum and the portion of the pelvis 
each side of it, to support the weight of the body, with the 
assistance of whatever resisting power there was in the muscles 
or other soft tissues, with which it came in contact in its proba 
somewhat changed position. The fourth, fifth and sixth spines of 
the sacrum were broken off below their heads. Two questions 
at least will naturally arise in the minds of readers. 
1st. How could the existence of such a fracture escape notice 
during life ? 
2d. Why did he die in the apparently painless manner, and 
without a struggle, as he did ? 
To the first of these I will answer that I do not know. The 
fracture was not observed or suspected, nor was any positive 
symptom of it present during life. He was in a private stable, 
adjacent to the residence of the owner, who, together with two 
grooms, saw him, as I did, every day. Apart from the stiff and 
awkward gait peculiar to tetanus, he walked well enough when 
he was moved, and he stood squarely on all his limbs when on 
his feet. He also got into a fair position when he urinated, and 
the fact of finding his bladder empty shows that he had passed 
his water a short time previous to death. 
The cause of the fracture is unknown, and I cannot say why 
his manner of death was so sudden and painless as it was. 
PROLAPSUS VAGINAE BEFORE DELIVERY. 
By E. F. Thayer, V.S. 
On the 30th of May I was called to see a cow, the property of 
Mr. Solomon Flagg, of Wellesley. On my arrival I found the ani¬ 
mal straining violently, and a portion of the vagina protruding be¬ 
yond the vulva. The owner stated that the pains came on the 
evening previous, also “ that her time was out.” As she did not 
make any progress, he called in a neighboring farmer, who had 
had considerable experience among cattle, who made an exami¬ 
nation, but was of the opinion that the calf could not be felt. As it 
was to him an unusual case, he advised the owner to send for me, 
