250 NORMAL PARTURITION. 



It is not rare to find newly-born animals, particularly when parturition 

 has been laborious, injured more or less, from the manipulation of the 

 obstetrist during birth, the lesions being more or less serious. The most 

 frequent injuries are those due to obstetrical instruments and appliances. 

 The wounds may be dressed wath cold water, with slightly alcoholized 

 water, or some dilute tincture — such as that of arnica ; but salts of lead, 

 or other poisonous salts, should not be employed. Abrasions, which are 

 generally superficial, may be treated with glycerine and water, to which 

 a very little carbolic acid has been added; or by lard, or any mucilagi- 

 nous substance. Sprains should have cold water irrigation if possible, 

 refrigerant lotions, or friction with soap liniment. Wounds and lacera- 

 tions, if very severe, must have appropriate surgical treatment. . 



CHAPTER IV. 



Sequelae of Parturition. 



We have stated that gestation and parturition are physiological processes, 

 and we may now add to these \\\^ puerperal state. But though in one 

 respect eminently physiological, the puerperal condition is marked by 

 special features, which distinguish it from other physiological states, and 

 which, occurring under other circumstances, would be more allied to 

 pathological changes. We refer now more particularly to the functional 

 and organic alterations which take place after delivery. True, we do not 

 have in animals such important, nor so many, sequelae as are noted in 

 women at this period, some of which are really pathological. Neverthe- 

 less, we have certain phenomena occurring during the return of the econ- 

 omy and the generative organs to the condition they were in previous to 

 pregnancy, which are not only very characteristic, but are worthy of seri- 

 ous attention. These phenomena have been divided into fimdmial and 

 organic. 



SECTION r. FUNCTIONAL MODIFICATIONS. 



The functional modifications include the afterpains^ lochia, 7nilk-fever, 

 and lactation. 



I. After-pains. — These are the painful sensations in the abdomen, 

 indications of which are frequently observed in animals, and which per- 

 sist after the expulsion of the foetus and the secundines. They are due 

 to the contractions of the uterus, which go on for some time, and which 

 eventually reduce the organ to its ordinary volume and diminish its cavity. 

 After an easy labor, there are generally few or no symptoms of these 

 pains ; and when they are present the only indications are whisking of the 

 tail, at which time, according to Saint-Cyr, the abdomen appears to be 

 harder. They seldom continue longer than twelve or twenty-four hours 

 in these cases, and do not require special treatment. 



In other cases, however, and particularly when birth has been very 

 sudden and rapid, they persist longer and are more severe. The animal 

 paws and exhibits suffering ; it also stretches as if trying to micturate, 

 arches the back, contracts the abdominal muscles, and strains. The 



