284 MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



much tact and gentleness as possible, as the young are readily killed, 

 whil§ the female itself is very liable to metritis. 



Indications. 



Animals suffering from uterine hernia sometimes bring forth their 

 young spontaneously, and without any bad results to themselves or their 

 progeny ; thus proving that the uterine contractions alone will expel the 

 foetus, and that the aid of the abdominal muscles is not absolutely 

 necessary. And more especially is this the case with the larger animals. 

 Leconte mentions a Mare whose career he traced for five years, and 

 which, notwithstanding the existence of this condition, brought forth four 

 living foals; three without assistance, the forth being in a wrong position. 

 Cows which had most alarming herniae, have even brought forth twin 

 calves spontaneously. 



But, as a rule, with these larger uniparous animals, parturition is always 

 more protracted and difficult than in ordinary circumstances, and the 

 assistance of the veterinary obstetrist is needed to effect delivery ; and 

 this, after all, is in some instances impossible, and the mother and off- 

 spring are lost. This is more particularly the case with multiparous ani- 

 mals, and especially the Bitch, in which it is generally all but impossible 

 to reduce the hernia or remove the foetuses by the natural passage. Roll 

 has, nevertheless, described the case of a Bitch suffering from uterine 

 hernia, which brought forth its progeny in a natural manner ; and 

 Prange, in 1844, published the history of another Bitch that, unaided, 

 gave birth to three puppies which had been lodged in a hernia of this 

 kind. Kopp, as we will see presently, removed three puppies by gastro- 

 hysterotomy from a uterine hernia, which he afterwards reduced, when 

 another puppy was borne naturally. And Chanel reports that a sow 

 brought forth young after a portion of one of the uterine cornua contain- 

 ing two foetuses, and which had been hernied, was amputated. 



Notwithstanding these instances, however, the assistance of the obstet- 

 rist is necessary to effect delivery, for which a careful examination, as in 

 diagnosis, will indicate the means. 



Previous to parturition, the hernia should be supported, when possible, 

 by a truss or retaining bandage, and care should be taken to prevent 

 over-exertion or straining. 



With the larger animals, delivery by the natural passages is, of course, 

 the chief object to be attained. In certain cases, the simplest measure, 

 and which is sometimes all that is necessary, is to elevate the hernia by 

 means of a sheet or blanket passed under it, and raised by an assistant 

 at each side of the animal. Manipulation per vaginam may supplement 

 this support, and in the majority of such cases may even be absolutely 

 necessary to complete delivery. 



In other instances, however, the foetus cannot be removed from the 

 hernial sac without placing the female in a recumbent posture. Either 

 lateral or dorsal decubitus maybe resorted to, according to circumstances ; 

 but the preference is usually given to the latter position \ though when 

 lateral decubitus is tried, the animal should be placed on the side oppo- 

 site to that in which the hernia exists. 



In the dorsal position, the weight of the foetus and uterus is removed 

 from the floor of the abdomen ; consequently, the abdominal muscles are 

 relaxed, and the borders of the hernial opening are not so tense ; while 



