194 PA THOL OG V OF GESTA TION. 



formed in its texture, or it has become adherent to other organs — as the 

 intestine, or tissues — as the abdominal walls, with which it has established 

 fistulous communications, and through which portions or the whole of 

 the fcetus may be passed. 



Causes. — Various causes have been assigned for the retention of the 

 foetus, several of which are no doubt quite sufficient to offer an obstacle 

 to normal parturition. Among these causes may be cited : a diminution 

 or loss of contractile power in the uterus itself to expel its contents, and 

 the absence of assistance when attempts are made ; adhesions of an un- 

 usual character between the uterus and. placenta ; malposition of the 

 foetus ; displacement of the uterus ; deformed pelvis ; fibrous induration 

 or spasmodic contraction of the cervix uteri ; torsion of the uterus, or 

 adhesion of its ligaments, etc. 



The following cases are given as examples. 



Mr. Cartwright ( Veterinarian, vol. x., p. 243) refers to a Cow that was at full time of 

 calving in May, and showed signs of parturition, the udder being of great size, and two 

 of the feet of the fcetus being seen in the vagina. As the animal could not be" assisted 

 just then, a day or two was allowed to elapse, when exhibiting no signs of uneasiness 

 a further interval ensued. But no indication of calving was again noticed, the Cow 

 only moaning for a few days. Four or five days afterwards she was milked, though 

 the yield was scanty at first, and only became moderately plentiful at a later period. 

 It was sold in October, though it had not appeared to be quite well for some time after 

 the proper period of calving had passed, and there was no oestrum. At the first the 

 abdomen was very large, and then gradually subsided. The calf could be felt all the 

 time. 



The same excellent obsers^er relates ( Veterinarian, vol. xi., p. 16) that a farmer, at 

 shearing time, discovered that one of his Sheep, a fine four-year-old Cheshire Ewe, had 

 not lambed, and that the foetus was "coming out at the bottom of the belly." Mr. 

 Cartwright's examination revealed the existence of an opening at the umbilicus, sufficient 

 to admit two or three fingers, from which hung a little hair, and matter oozed. The 

 fcetus could be distinctly felt at the lower part of the abciomen, and seemed hard. 

 Many pieces of the hair and skin, also one fore leg as high as the shoulder, and a por- 

 tion of another limb, were removed. No more could then be got through. The wound 

 gradually closed, and the animal improved in condition until about six months after- 

 wards, when, being exposed to much wet weather, it began to decline, and it was 

 deemed advisable to send it to the butcher. The abdominal wall in the region of the 

 wound was thickened, and portions of bones projected from and pressed around the 

 orifice, which was the width of a finger. The vagina and os uteri were pervious and 

 natural ; but in front of the cervix the uterus, for a foot in length, was no thicker than a 

 thin pipe stem, and very similar in appearance and structure to one of the ureters ; it 

 would only admit a probe. Then it became wider and more muscular, and divided into 

 two passages, in which were contained a few small bones. From this part the body of 

 the uterus expanded to half the size of a man's head (the Iwo short cavities opening 

 into it), and was attached anteriorly to the diaphragm, and laterally to the abdomen, 

 for several inches around in every direction ; it contained the remains of a fine foetus, 

 now reduced in a great measure merely 4;o bones and a little putrid matter. The sac 

 thus formed by a part of the uterus was, inside, in an apparently diseased state, being 

 necessarily of a darkish color in consequence of the uterus firmly clasping the bones, 

 and becoming injured by their rough projections, as it was completely wedged full. 

 There were attachments formed on its peritoneal layer with the small intestines and 

 thin mesentery, but they were sound. The Ewe should have lambed two years pre- 

 viously, at which time it showed uneasiness. The owner thought it would have done 

 so had it been assisted. 



M. Caillier [Reaieil de Med. Veterinaire, 1847. p! 690) was called to attend a seven- 

 year-old Mare, which had been put to a stallion Ass. The animal's abdomen was very 

 large and pendulous, there was loss of appetite, the surface of the body was cold and 

 skin unhealthy, membranes pallid, frequent yawnings, often looking back at flank, 

 head continually agitated, sinking of the hind "quarters, and unsteady gait. The foetus 

 appeared to be dead. The Mare had been ill for two days, though it had not been ex- 

 posed to any thing likely to cause abortion ; its period of gestation had expired and 



