Special report on diseases of cattleUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special report on diseases of cattle
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Cattle -- Diseases
_Treatment._--Treatment consists in the removal of the fetal membranes and
blood clots from the womb (which will not contract while they are present),
the dashing of cold water on the loins, right flank, and vulva, and if
these measures fail, the injection of cold water into the womb through a
rubber tube furnished with a funnel. In obstinate cases a good-sized sponge
soaked in tincture of muriate of iron should be introduced into the womb
and firmly squeezed, so as to bring the iron into contact with the bleeding
surface. This is at once an astringent and a coagulant for the blood,
besides stimulating the womb to contraction. In the absence of this agent
astringents (solution of copperas, alum, tannic acid, or acetate of lead)
may be thrown into the womb, and one-half-dram doses of acetate of lead may
be given by the mouth, or 1 ounce powdered ergot of rye may be given in
gruel. When nothing else is at hand, an injection of oil of turpentine will
sometimes promptly check the bleeding.
EVERSION OF THE WOMB (CASTING THE WITHERS).
Like flooding, this is the result of failure of the womb to contract after
calving. If that organ contracts naturally, the afterbirth is expelled, the
internal cavity of the womb is nearly closed, and the mouth of the organ
becomes so narrow that the hand can not be forced through, much less the
whole mass of the matrix. When, however, it fails to contract, the closed
end of one of the horns may fall into its open internal cavity, and under
the compression of the adjacent intestines, and the straining and
contraction of the abdominal walls, it is forced farther and farther, until
the whole organ is turned outside in, slides back through the vagina, and
hangs from the vulva. The womb can be instantly distinguished from the
protruding vagina or bladder by the presence, over its whole surface, of 50
to 100 mushroomlike bodies (cotyledons), each 2 to 3 inches in diameter,
and attached by a narrow neck. (Pls. XII, XIII.) When fully everted, it is
further recognizable by a large, undivided body hanging from the vulva, and
two horns or divisions which hang down toward the hocks. In the imperfect
eversions the body of the womb may be present with two depressions leading
into the two horns. In the cases of some standing the organ has become
inflamed and gorged with blood until it is as large as a bushel basket, its
surface has a dark-red, bloodlike hue, and tears and bleeds on the
slightest touch. Still later lacerations, raw sores, and even gangrene are
shown in the mass. At the moment of protrusion the general health is not
altered, but soon the inflammation and fever with the violent and continued
straining induce exhaustion, and the cow lies down, making no attempt to
rise.
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