214 ' NORMAL PARTURITION, 



BOOK IV. 



NORMAL PARTURITION. 



Normal, natural, physiological or spontaneous parturition or birth, is the 

 expulsion of the foetus at term from the uterus, through the maternal pas- 

 sages, by natural forces, and when it is sufficiently developed to live ex- 

 ternal to its parent. This act is designated " foaling" when occurring in 

 the Mare, "calving" in the Cow, "lambing" in the Sheep, "pupping" 

 in the Bitch, etc. It receives the designation of "normal," "natural," 

 etc., when it is accomplished in a manner favorable to the parent and 

 offspring without extraneous assistance, and by natural forces alone ; 

 and "abnormal," "pathological," or "difficult," when it cannot be 

 so accomplished, and when the aid of man is required to relieve the 

 parent and release the progeny. Though eminently a physiological act, 

 it is nevertheless one of the most difficult ; the interval between normal 

 and pathological parturition is sometimes extremely brief, the one being 

 often transformed into the other in a remarkably short time. It is also 

 said to be " premature " when it occurs before the usual period, and the 

 young creature is born in a viable condition ; while it is " prolonged " 

 birth when pregnancy extends beyond the ordinary term. We have 

 already spoked of these terms, and alluded to their diversity ; and we 

 have only now to note that these variations do not appear to have any 

 influence on the physiological act of parturition. 



CHAPTER I. 



Physiology of Parturition. 



The act of parturition, notwithstanding its special object, is distinguished 

 from all other physiological acts or functions by certain peculiarities ; for 

 while the latter are normally accomplished without disturbing in any way 

 the well-being of the individual, parturition, on the contrary, even when 

 natural, is accompanied by pain, general disturbance and uneasiness, and 

 violent efforts. And during birth nature does not appear to obey those 

 immutable laws so strictly as in the accomplishment of the other physio- 

 logical acts, but makes frequent and wide deviations ; though these do 

 not often compromise the final result. We never find two births exactly 

 alike, but each offers something peculiar when attentively observed. We 

 need only refer to the duration of the act as a whole, as well as to each 

 of its periods or stages. Sometimes it only occupies a few minutes, in 

 other instances days are required to complete it ; in some cases the first 

 stage is long and the second short, and in others it is the reverse. The 

 labor pains, or contractions, present as notable differences with regard 

 to intensity, duration, and frequency, as well as in the pain they cause 

 and the influence they exercise on the other parts of the body ; while the 

 amount of allantoid or amniotic fluid is as variable, though no ill effects 

 may result from this. And, finally, the foetus may present itself for expul- 

 sion in a variety of positions, which, though they may not impede birth, 

 yet prove that parturition is an extremely variable act. 



