2 o6 PA THOL OG Y OF GESTA TION. 



2. Recognize an Actual Abortioti. — Here we have to distinguish an 

 abortion in process of accomplishment; and at first sight nothing would 

 appear more easy, and, in fact, nothing is so easy if time be allowed until 

 all the characteristic symptoms attending the expulsion of the foetus are 

 plainly developed. Biit when the obstetrist is consulted at the com- 

 mencement — during the premonitory period, it may be very embarrassing 

 to give a decided opinion. In many cases, indeed, impending abortion 

 is only announced — even for some days — by such vague signs as an 

 indefinable malaise^ a peculiar dulness, inappetence, laziness, perhaps a 

 little fever, with pawing now and again, agitation of the tail, and symp- 

 toms which might be taken for those of slight colic. Saint-Cyr has 

 known many good practitioners deceived by these signs, and who have 

 diagnosed either indigestion, gastro-enteritis, or some other malady which 

 disappeared — after the expulsion of the foetus ! Such a mistake is 

 unfortunate for the reputation of the veterinarian, as well as for the owner 

 of the animal, whose interests suffer; as if a miscarriage had been diag- 

 nosed in proper time it might have been prevented, and pregnancy 

 allowed to run its normal course. 



To prevent such an error, it is well to know that a mistake is possible ; 

 so that if called in to attend an animal offering some of the above- 

 enumerated symptoms, the first inquiry should be as to whether it is 

 pregnant ; then the external organs of generation — the vulva and 

 mammae — ought to be examined with the greatest care, and the actual 

 symptoms thoughtfully analyzed. This being done, it will often be found 

 that this is a case of threatened abortion ; and that, when taken in time, 

 the accident can be averted by rational treatment. 



3. Recognize that an Abortion has taken place. — It may happen that 

 information is required as to whether abortion has occurred in an animal ; 

 though this information is far less likely to be sought from the veterina- 

 rian than the human obstetrist. In the absence of the foetus or its envel- 

 opes, such a question is not easily answered with regard to animals ; and 

 the difficulty is increased if the foetus is developed, and a long interval 

 has elapsed since the presumed date of the suspected abortion. Saint- 

 Cyr is of opinion that, as a rule, it is impossible after fifteen days to 

 assert with absolute certainty that such an accident has occurred, the 

 generative organs having at that date resumed their ordinary physiologi- 

 cal condition. For it is only by an early inspection of these that we can 

 enlighten ourselves as to what may have taken place. In this inspection 

 is included that of the mammce , which are always a little tumid, hard, 

 and painful, and often yield a small quantity of milk after a recent 

 abortion ; the tail, the hair of which is soiled and matted by blood, 

 mucus, and the liquor amnii ; the vulva, which is swollen and dilated, and 

 the mucous membrane of which often presents, in addition to its uniform 

 and more or less deep-red color, ecchymoses due to the rubbing or 

 bruising it experiences during the passage of the foetus. On careful 

 vaginal exploration, if the cervix is found to be softer than usual and the 

 OS partially open, and, better still, if the hand can be introduced without 

 much difficulty into the uterine cavity, and a quantity of sanguinolent or 

 sanious fluid, or remains of membranes is discovered in it, it may be 

 concluded that a foetus has been recently expelled. 



Treatment. — The treatment is preventive ?ix\d remedial. With regard 

 to preventive treatment, this must mainly depend upon a knowledge of 

 the causes which produce abortion — which we have seen are numerous, 



