Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
This is rare in the mare, but not unknown, in connection with a failure
of the womb to contract on itself after parturition, or with eversion of
the womb (casting the withers), and congestion or laceration. If the
blood accumulates in the flaccid womb, the condition may be suspected
only by reason of the rapidly advancing weakness, swaying, unsteady
gait, hanging head, paleness of the eyes and other mucous membranes, and
weak, small, failing pulse. The hand introduced into the womb detects
the presence of the blood partly clotted. If the blood escapes by the
vulva, the condition is evident.
_Treatment_ consists in evacuating the womb of its blood clots, giving a
large dose of powdered ergot of rye, and in the application of cold
water or ice to the loins and external generative organs. Besides this,
a sponge impregnated with a strong solution of alum, or, still better,
with tincture of muriate of iron, may be introduced into the womb and
squeezed so as to bring the liquid in contact with the walls generally.
EVERSION OF THE WOMB.
If the womb fails to contract after difficult parturition, the
after-pains will sometimes lead to the fundus passing into the body of
the organ and passing through that and the vagina until the whole
inverted organ appears externally and hangs down on the thighs. The
result is rapid engorgement and swelling of the organ, impaction of the
rectum with feces, and distention of the bladder with urine, all of
which conditions seriously interfere with the return of the mass. In
returning the womb the standing is preferable to the recumbent position,
as the abdomen is more pendent and there is less obstruction to the
return. It may, however, be necessary to put hobbles on the hind limbs
to prevent the mare from kicking. A clean sheet should be held beneath
the womb, and all filth, straw, and foreign bodies washed from its
surface. Then with a broad, elastic (india-rubber) band, or in default
of that a long strip of calico 4 or 5 inches wide, wind the womb as
tightly as possible, beginning at its most dependent part (the extremity
of the horn). This serves two good ends. It squeezes out into the
general circulation the enormous mass of blood which engorged and
enlarged the organ, and it furnishes a strong protective covering for
the now delicate, friable organ, through which it may be safely
manipulated without danger of laceration. The next step may be the
pressure on the general mass while those portions next the vulva are
gradually pushed in with the hands; or the extreme lowest point (the end
of the horn) may be turned within itself and pushed forward into the
vagina by the closed fist, the return being assisted by manipulations by
the other hand, and even by those of assistants. By either mode the
manipulations may be made with almost perfect safety so long as the
organ is closely wrapped in the bandage. Once a portion has been
introduced into the vagina the rest will usually follow with increasing
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