2o8 PA THOL OG Y OF GESTA TION. 



)jvhen the foetus is to be seized and removed in the usual way ; should it 

 be in a wrong position, or should there be any obstacle to its egress, then 

 we must proceed according to the directions given for overcoming such 

 obstacles when they occur at the normal period of parturition. In abor- 

 tion or premature labor, however, the foetus being smaller, the difficulties 

 are less. 



If it should happen that the sphincter of the cervix is contracted, and 

 shows no sign of yielding to gentle manipulation, then after a sufficient 

 time has been allowed measures should be adopted to relax it. Bel- 

 ladonna ointment (one part to four of lard), introduced into the vagina 

 and applied around the cervix by the hand or any suitable instrument, 

 may be used with advantage. Mr. Cox, of Ashbourne, also recommends 

 rugs dipped in hot water and applied over the pelvic region. Injections 

 of mucilaginous fluids or glycerine into the vagina, may be resorted to 

 if the passage has become dry after the escape of the amniotic fluid ; 

 and, internally, extract of belladonna, chloral, or aether or alcoholic 

 draughts should be administered, particularly if the animal is exhausted ; 

 when gruel, beef-tea, milk, or other strengthening fluids may likewise be 

 required. The ergot of rye is of little value in these cases occurring in 

 the larger animals, and its use is rarely to be prescribed. 



If the membranes come away with the foetus, there is little more to be 

 done ; but in the contrary case, which is by no means unfrequent in 

 abortion or premature birth, the membranes are strongly adherent to the 

 uterine placentae, and their retention, particularly in cattle, is often trouble- 

 some. Some practitioners in these instances prefer to remove them im- 

 mediately and mechanically by the hand, carefully separating the placen- 

 tulae one after another ; and though this is easily enough done so long as 

 the OS is dilated, which it usually is for three days after delivery, yet 

 others are content with some simple precautions, and then prefer to wait. 

 When they find the membranes firmly adherent, and their separation 

 from the uterus likely to be attended with inconvenience, they only 

 partially detach them, then collect and twist them into a rope-like form, 

 and leave this mass in the vagina ; so that should the cervix contract, it 

 may not be imprisoned in the uterus. Others tie them together with a 

 piece of tape, which is allowed to hang out of the vagina. In a short 

 time the placenta has become loosened, and can then be wholly removed. 

 A few experienced obstetrists rely on internal medication for the sep- 

 aration of the foetal placenta. Zundel, for instance, has long and suc- 

 cessfully administered powdered laurel berries in an infusion of fennel, 

 giving I ^ ounces three times a day, with an ounce of sodium bicarbonate 

 in half a pint of fennel infusion. The membranes always come away on 

 the second or third day, particularly if plenty of mucilaginous fluid has 

 been given in the interval. Rychner employs a decoction of the meal of 

 linseed-cake in doses of about twelve pints a day, when this result ensues 

 about the ninth day. 



An animal which has aborted requires attention after the delivery of 

 the foetus. It should be kept clean, fed on gruel and easily-digested 

 food, though not in excess, kept from draughts of air, particularly in cold 

 weather, and otherwise nursed for some days. The complications which 

 sometimes accompany this accident will be alluded to hereafter, as they 

 are usually those of ordinary parturition. The animal should not be 

 allowed to become impregnated at the next oestrum, nor yet perhaps at 

 the succeeding period. 



