D YSTOKIA B Y PEL VIC CONSTRICTION. z'j'j 



consulted, and from examination be led to conclude that parturition will 

 be dangerous or impossible, we shall include this as one of the indica-- 

 tions, and commence with it. 



1. Artificial Abortion. — Artificial abortion may be rendered neces- 

 sary not only during pregnancy, when the condition of the pelvic cavity 

 leads to the supposition that delivery at full term is dangerous or impos- 

 sible, but also in metrorrhagia, serious inversion of the vagina, hydram- 

 nios, debility, or exhaustion, etc. 



Artificial abortion may be produced in several ways, and is generally 

 more successful with the Mare than the Cow, because of the greater ex- 

 citability of the cervix uteri, and the readiness, with which it can be di- 

 lated in that animal. Three modes of procedure have been adopted with 

 the domesticated animals, each being attended with success, and each 

 offering special advantages in particular cases. These are : irritatiofi of 

 the cervix uteri by the hand ; puncture of the envelopes ; and vaginal irrita- 

 tions. 



Digital Irritation of the Cervix Uteri. — This is accomplished in the fol- 

 lowing manner : The hand is introduced into the vagina, and first one 

 finger, then two are insinuated into the os by a semi-rotatory movement, 

 and finally the whole hand is inserted, as the part dilates. If the opera- 

 tion is repeated several times, labor pains soon ensue. As the manual 

 exertion is rather fatiguing, the sponge tent, elastic bags, or other dilators 

 of the OS uteri may be employed. A better and more successful mode is 

 the introduction of a long elastic catheter, strong pieces of catgut, or even 

 a quill, between the foetal membranes and the uterus. Labor maybe 

 promoted by passing the hand through the os, and separating the mem- 

 branes from the uterus. 



This procedure is to be recommended for Mares, the uterus of which 

 is so irritable that abortion sometimes occurs after manipulations in the 

 rectum for some time. In ordinary cases, the expulsion of the foetus oc- 

 curs in from six to twelve hours. It is not applicable to cattle, Harms 

 having once manipulated a Cow in this manner for a whole night without 

 producing any result ; neither is it to be recommended for smaller ani- 

 mals. 



Puncture of the Foetal Envelopes. — The envelopes are punctured by 

 pushing a long, and more or less pointed, sound through the os uteri, 

 into the " water-bag ; " the liquor amnii soon escapes, and the uterine 

 contractions begin. Expulsion of the foetus follows in from twelve to 

 forty-eight hours. This method is particularly efficacious with cattle. 



Vaginal Irrigations. — Irrigation of the vagina with cold water (or water 

 at a temperature of about 90^ Fahr.),- made by means of a syringe or in- 

 jection-tube, and continued for a quarter of an hour every three hours, 

 will induce labor pains about the fourth injection, and effect the expul- 

 sion of the foetus towards the second, third, or fourth day. This method 

 is more particularly adapted for the smaller animals ; though it will also 

 succeed with the larger. The only danger to be apprehended from it is 

 an attack of metro-peritonitis. 



2. Forcible Extraction. — As Saint-Cyr well remarks, the first' im- 

 pulse which presents itself when the foetus meets with any obstacle to its 

 passage through the pelvis, is to " force it through ; " and it is this im- 

 pulse which is carried into execution by unscientific people. Too fre- 



