528 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



is easily done, as they are very weak — the fingers in many 

 €ases being sufficient to break them down. 



' Ascites,' or abdominal dropsy of the foetus, is occasion- 

 ally noticed. As a general thing the foetus is dead ; and if 

 •deliv^ered alive, always remain a weakly and unhealthy 

 animal of no benefit to its owner. The fluid may be 

 evacuated by means of a long trocar passing through the 

 body of the foetus ; or the foetus may be pushed back, an 

 embryotomy knife introduced into the uterus, an incision 

 made into the abdominal cavity of the foetus, and the fluid 

 •contained therein allowed to escape into the cavity of the 

 uterus ; after which, the foetus if properly presented will 

 be delivered with ease. 



Occasionally labour pains come on and persist for a con- 

 siderable length of time ; but it is observed instead of 

 being strong and powerful, as they should be, that the con- 

 tractions are weak, and utterly inadequate to the task of 

 expelling the foetus. In such a case the bladder and rectum 

 should be emptied, and an alcoholic stimulant administered; 

 the uterine contractions assisted by pressure applied over 

 the region of the uterus; and where the presentation is 

 proper, and no anatomical malformation of the foetus or 

 mother exists, injections of tepid water into the vagina, 

 and at intervals doses of ergot of rye, smearing the os 

 uteri with belladonna, etc., will usually bring about de- 

 livery. 



PARALYSIS OF THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES. 



Paralysis of the abdominal muscles, or loss of power 

 of the muscular walls of the abdomen, is occasionally 

 noticed in pregnant animals, and more particularly during 

 parturition. The condition is in all probability, at least 

 in a majority of cases, caused by general debility. 



Symiotoms. — The abdomen becomes greatly distended, 



