he 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
ease, and the operation should be completed with the hand and arm
extended the full length within the womb and moved from point to point
so as to straighten out all parts of the organ and insure that no
portion still remain inverted within another portion. Should any such
partial inversion be left it will give rise to straining, under the
force of which it will gradually increase until the whole mass will be
protruded as before. The next step is to apply a truss as an effectual
mechanical barrier to further escape of the womb through the vulva. The
simplest is made with two 1-inch ropes, each about 18 feet long, each
doubled and interwoven at the bend, as seen in Plate XIV, figure 4. The
ring formed by the interlacin