A TEXT-BOOK OF VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 



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INTRODUCTION. 



The generation and development of animated creatures is correctly de- 

 scribed as an " eminently physiological act," and one which is ordinarily 

 carried out, from beginning to end, as a perfectly natural process, and 

 without any extraneous interference being required for its accomplish- 

 ment. But, speaking now with regard to the higher orders of viviparous 

 animals, this happy termination of a most important series of phenomena 

 is not always observed ; and not unfrequently various causes — internal 

 as well as external — may operate unfavorably in a number of ways, and 

 more or less imperil the perfect development or existence of the young 

 creature, or compromise the health or life of the mother. More espe- 

 cially is this danger likely to occur when the period arrives for the ex- 

 pulsion of the fcetus from the abdomen of its parent. 



With the domesticated animals, when these obstacles to development 

 or birth intervene, in order to remove or overcome them, and assist or 

 supplement nature, recourse must be had to artificial means, and the 

 resources of science and art are accordingly invoked. 



The term " parturition (from partus^ to bring forth) " is the act by 

 which the product of conception, when it has reached a certain stage of 

 development, is expelled from the body of the mother ; and this act is 

 that which is usually considered to be the most critical in the existence 

 of the young creature, and to most frequently demand attention in such 

 valuable animals as the Mare, Cow, Sheep, Bitch, etc. 



The parturition of the domesticated animals, and the abnormal condi- 

 tions which may precede or follow that event, come within the province of 

 Veterinary Science, and form that division of it named "Obstetrics," which 

 has aptly been designated the " Science of Midwifery," when applied to 

 this division of human surgery. Though it is that which has been selected 

 as the title of this work, and though it is also that which is most frequently 



