INTRODUCTION. . iii 



region in which they are situated in the different animals. The study of 

 the organs concerned in generation is essential to acquiring a knowledge 

 of their several functions, and it is only through understanding these 

 functions that we can appreciate the normal or abnormal course they may 

 pursue, and be prepared to interfere successfully when required. And a 

 correct notion of the formation, structure, magnitude, and other features 

 of the space containing these organs — and which has been named the 

 pelvic cavity — is absolutely necessary if we wish to understand the act of 

 parturition in the several animals, and be able to render useful service if 

 the deliver}' of the young is hindered by mechanical obstacles. A knowl- 

 edge of the physiology of these organs and the phenomena pertaining to 

 generation, the formation of the foetus, its development, and external con- 

 formation, and its connections with the parent, with gestation and the 

 modifications it produces in the organism, as well as the anomalies, ac- 

 cidents, and diseases which may occur during this period, is required, in 

 addition to an acquaintance with that of the final act, which we have 

 named "parturition." 



The four chief functions of the generative system may be enumerated 

 as follows : menstruation or oestrum^ conception, gestation and parturition^ 

 all of which are intimately related to and dependent upon each other: a 

 failure or defect in one disturbing their relationship, and leading to ster- 

 ility or irregularity. Deviations or anomalies in form or structure of the 

 individual organs upon which these functions rely for their proper per- 

 formance, will also tend to interfere more or less with their accomplish- 

 ment. 



Every thing connected with this portion of the subject, which terminates 

 with natural ox spontaneous parturition, has been included under the head 

 of EuTOKiA (from eu, well, and ro/f<ir, birth). 



The difficulties attending parturition, whether they depend upon the 

 mother or the foetus, or upon both, with the means for overcoming them, 

 and the accidents which may complicate difficult parturition, come under 

 the general designation of Dystokia (from <5uc, difficult, and r^/oc, birth). 



This arrangement of the various subjects is necessary in a compre- 

 hensive treatise on Obstetrics, and it is the one which will be followed in 

 our manual. 



The maladies to which the parent is most exposed after parturition, and 

 their medical or surgical treatment, as well as the condition of the young 

 animal after birth and up to the time of weaning, also form a portion of 

 the veterinary obstetrist's study. 



Such is the plan of the work : and I have only now to state that the 

 animals more particularly referred to are of the Horse, Ox, Dog, Pig, 

 Sheep and Goat species ; the other creatures which man has domesti- 

 cated — such as the elephant, camel, rabbit, and cat — coming but rarely 

 within the observation of the veterinary accottcheur. 



