222 NORMAL PARTURITION. 



— the foetus being meanwhile retained in the uterus — during which the 

 organ is closely applied to the body of the foetus, and is preparing itself 

 for a final effort, which is soon made. The contractions are most 

 energetic and rapid, and every time they are made the waters flow in 

 small quantity, moistening and relaxing the parts ; the foetus passes on 

 until the fore feet and muzzle, forming a kind of cone, appear at the 

 vulva, the orifice of which is opened by them. When the head has cleared 

 the vulva, there is usually a short pause, as if to allow the tissues of this 

 region to become accustomed to the distention, and to prepare them for 

 the still greater strain which is yet to be imposed on them. The thorax 

 and shoulders of the foetus have now arrived at the inlet of the pelvis, 

 and as they form the deepest and most difficult part of the young crea- 

 ture's body, the contractions which ensue for its complete expulsion, 

 though most powerful and continuous, only impel it slowly towards the 

 outlet, on arriving at which a more energetic and painful effort than all 

 the others pushes it through. The act may now be said to have termi- 

 nated ; as to expel the croup requires only a few comparatively weak 

 throes, and the weight of the anterior part of the body of the foetus, 

 hanging beyond the vulva, greatly aids them. It is rare indeed that the 

 croup offers a serious obstacle to expulsion. 



During this act the creature betrays evidence of pain, especially if it be 

 a primipara ; and this is particularly marked when the head of the foetus 

 passes through the still incompletely dilated os, and still more so when 



Fig. 56. 

 Cow IN THE Act of Parturition : Standing Position. 



the chest and shoulders distend the tissue of the vulva and perineum to 

 the utmost. Then the pulse is hard and frequent, and the skin hot — 

 sometimes covered with perspiration — or the body is rigid. The Bitch 

 and Cat often utter a cry of pain as the head and chest pass through the 

 vulva. 



After the young animal is expelled, the umbilical cord is torn, and the 

 liquor amnii remaining in the uterus escapes, accompanied or followed by 

 a little blood resulting from the sudden separation of the placentas. 



The position assumed by animals during parturition is somewhat varia- 

 ble. The larger animals which usually only bring forth one at a birth, 

 such as the Mare, Cow, and Sheep, ordinarily do so standing ; and this 

 position has the following advantages ; the vertebro-sacral angle is effaced, 



