124 



OBSTETRICAL PHYSIOLOGY, 



examination ; and in tlie larger the risk of injury to the examiner, and 

 of abortion in the animal, militates against such an investigation. It is 

 only known as a fact, that it widens at the termination of gestation, and 

 loses it cervical character, as well as its longitudinal mucous folds. It 

 may also be noted that, from being firm and dense at ordinary times, its 

 texture becomes gradually soft and elastic ; while it diminishes in length, 

 its projection into the vaginal cavity is lessened, and indeed at a late 



Fig. 52. 



The Gravid Uterus of a Multiparous and Uniparous Animal. 



A, Multiparous Uterus; «, ai, Ovaries ; 3, bi. Fimbriae of Fallopian Tubes, c, c'i ; d, </i, Cornua 

 of Uterus — that on the left contains four Embryos, on the right two, one of which is exposed ; e. 

 Body of Uterus ; f, Vagina ; g, g; Mesometry or Ligament of Uterus ; B, Uniparous Uterus : 

 c, a, Fallopian Tubes ; e, Body of Uterus, containing early Uterine Ovum ; /, Vagina ; C, 

 Early Uterine Ovum. 



period almost effaced, it appearing merely as a kind of ring separating 

 the uterus from the vagina, and which is sometimes a little open. Not 

 infrequently the cavity of the cervix is filled with a thick, adherent, 

 glutinous matter, sometimes so abundant that it also occupies the vagina, 

 and forms an unpleasant obstacle to exploration, though it does not in- 



