DISEASES OF THE PREGNANT ANIMAL. 



179 



the touch, and almost lost in the small ocean of fluid surrounding it. In 

 rare cases the os is partially dilated, and the fcetal membranes protruding 

 more or less into the vagina ; usually, however, scarcely one or two fingers 

 can be introduced into it. 



Results. — The occurrence of hydrops amnii is nearly always fatal to 

 the foetus. In none of the thirteen cases aHuded to by Saint-Cyr was it 

 alive ; in a certain number it appeared to have lived up to the period of 

 parturition or abortion ; in others it had been arrested in its development, 

 and was dead for some time. In a Goat, the two foetuses were in a state 

 of general anasarca, and completely infiltrated. 



The mother may or may not survive. Of the above cases three perished 

 from the disease ; one was killed as incurable ; another recovered after a 

 long time ; one was subsequently sold for food ; five got well so rapidly 

 and completely as to be bred from again. The results have, as a rule, 

 been more favorable as assistance has been prompt and early. 



After death the uterus is found excessively dilated, pale in texture, with 

 ecchymoses on its surface. The fcetal membranes vary, sometimes being 

 thickened and dense, and other times attenuated and friable. The 

 liquor amnii has been found contained in alveoli, or cells, formed by the 

 processes uniting the allantois to the amnion ; so that the membranes 

 might be torn in several places without all the fluid escaping — in this 

 respect resembling the vitreous humor of the eye. The liquor is usu- 

 ally limpid and transparent, or of a pale citron color, with a slightly 

 sweetish taste ; its quantfty, as has been remarked, is always considera- 

 ble : as much as 50, 70, 100, 120, 150, and even 180 litres having been 

 found. 



One example of this condition will suffice. It is given by Mr. Cartwright, of Whit- 

 church, and the subject was a thorough-bred racing Mare, whose extreme " size " while 

 pregnant was ascribed to the presence of twin foetuses, and also, it would appear, to 

 an excessive quantity o£ fluid in the uterine cavity. The period for parturition arrived 

 without any signs of milk-secretion or relaxation of the pelvis, and the abdomen meas- 

 ured thirteen feet in circumference. Symptoms resembling slight colic appeared, 

 which were not relieved by medicine, and the abdomen became so tense and hard that 

 it was feared the muscular parietes would give way ; strong bandages were, therefore, 

 placed round the body, though through these having been fastened too tight, the Mare 

 fell apparently asphyxiated. However, on their being loosened recovery took place, 

 and her sufferings subsided so much that food and water were taken, and general 

 amendment seemed to have set in. Next morning, however, the unfortunate creature 

 was found with an extensive rent in the right iliac region, from which the small 

 intestines escaped. It was destroyed, and on opening the abdomen the uterus alone, 

 with the exception of some portion of the small intestines, was the only organ visible, 

 it being of extreme dimensions, and very pale and flaccid ; it contained about twelve 

 gallons of serous fluid, as well as two dead, but perfectly developed, colt foetuses. 

 These were of such a size, that it was surmised parturition could not have been safely 

 accomplished, even had there been no dropsy. 



Indications. — The chief indication is to evacuate at least a portion of 

 the fluid, by rupturing the membranes, as medical treatment has always 

 "proved inefficacious. It must be remembered that the fcetus is always 

 pdead ; and even if alive, with the view of saving the life of the mother, 

 it should be sacrificed. Though opening amniotic sac, and removing a 

 certain quantity of the liquor, need not necessarily compromise the exist- 

 ence of the foetus ; as a case has been published by Lhomme {journal 

 de Veterinaire du Midi, 1869), in which a portion of the foetal membranes, 

 ■protruded beyond the vulva, was excised without interfering with the 



