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A CCIDENTS* OF PREGNANC Y. 1 89 



wards the left cornu. One foetus had escaped from the uterus altogether, and was 

 found, destitute of membranes, in the right hypochondriac : another fcEtus was yet in 

 the uterus — towards the right cornu, and part of the intact amnion enveloping it pro- 

 truded through the rupture. The two foetuses did not appear to have been long dead, 

 as there was no putrid smell about them or the membranes. The walls of the uterus 

 were apparently healthy ; the external surface of the liver and intestines was bleached, 

 and near where the disengaged foetus lay the peritoneum was blanched. Macgillivray 

 was of opinion that hydrops uteri must have existed for a .considerable time, as the 

 animal had been large-bellied and uneasy for some days ; though three or four days 

 before he was calle^ in, it was supposed that she had sustained an injury from another 

 Cow, and that then or afterwards the rupture had occurred. 



Saint-Cyr refers to what the Italian veterinarians designate as semi- 

 mobile uterus, and which he believes to be allied to rupture. This is a 

 condition in which the uterus has been completely divided across, either 

 at the body or the cornua, and remains floating in the abdominal cavity, 

 being only suspended by the broad ligaments. The most singular fact 

 connected with these cases is, that although the uterus is torn in this 

 manner, its contents — the fcetus and membranes — do not escape ; the 

 section cicatrizes, and the organ appears as a large kystoid tumor. 

 ErcoLini, Veterinary Professor at the Bologna University, has met with 

 four instances of this extraordinary accident, the pathological specimens 

 being deposited in the museum of that institution. Their history and 

 description are as 'follows : 



1. The uterus of a Cow which contained in one of the cornua a foetus beyond its 

 term, and in the other horn such a great quantity of mucus that, so far as volume is 

 concerned, it would be difficult to say which cornu was the largest. This uterus is 

 completely divided at the cervix and floats in the abdominal cavity, being attached only 

 by the broad ligaments, which are thin and distended. The detached portion of the 

 uterus has a globular form, and its perfectly smooth surface is everywhere covered by 

 peritoneum ; where the separation has taken place, the organ is closed by the cicatri- 

 cial union of the border of the rupture. The mucous membrane in the left cornu of 

 this portion is loose, and shows numerous radiating cicatrizes ; the foetus in the right 

 cornu is indurated, and appears to have lived beyond the ordinary period of gestation, 

 to judge by the hoofs, as well as the teeth, which are cut. The nose did not corre- 

 spond to the opening of the cornu, as the head was* doubled on the left side of the neck. 

 The vertex and occiput were turned upwards, and closed a vast circular opening result- 

 ing from the destruction of the partition separating the two cornua. The head ad- 

 hered to the entire border of this opening — unequal and ragged as it must have been ; 

 and all that portion which projects into the left cornu presents a large tonstcre, where 

 not only is the skin absent, but even the periosteum itself. Lying flat on one of its 

 sides and curled up, the limbs twined towards the head, and the muffle placed between 

 the thighs, the fcetus represents a kind of great discoid bod}-. .^ 



2. Cornu of the uterus of a pregnant Cow, containing a completely developed foetus, 

 markedly indurated. This cornu, perhaps ruptured during parturition, is detached, and 

 hangs almost free in the abdomen ; while the rupture has cicatrized, and there is formed 

 a large kyst, everywhere closed, and containing the foetus. The walls of the uterus are 

 for the most part fibrous, and the foetal envelopes coriaceous. Like the preceding case, 

 this specimen was found in a Cow which had been slaughtered by the butchery the cornu 

 fell on the ground, after some few fibrous bands which attached it to the sub-lumbar 

 region had been cut through. 



3. The uterus of a Sheep arrived at the termination of pregnancy ; the organ has 

 been torn in the vicinity of the vagina, and remains free in the abdominal cavity. In 

 this instance, also, the uterus forms a completely closed kyst, which contains a very 

 much indurated lamb. In detaching this organ, an irregular cicatrix is seen, which leads 

 to the supposition that the accident was due to torsion of the cervix. 



4. Posterior portion of the body of a Guinea-pig, which shows the right horn of the 

 uterus detached and cicatrized where separation has occurred. This horn, whicli was 

 half free, was filled with fluid blood ; the distention caused by the blood has been so 

 great, that the horn is ruptured in the middle and the foetus must have died from haem- 

 orrhage. J 



