300 MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



been recorded by Rueff. The kidney was of great size, and weighed 

 more than thirty-three pounds. 



Symptoms. 



We have stated that this accident always takes place towards the 

 termination of pregnancy — from the eighth to the ninth month. But 

 Wegerer, Benzie, and other veterinarians, assert that they have witnessed 

 it so early as the fifth month. Without disputing the correctness of 

 their observations, it must be admitted that, during the early periods of 

 gestation, the means by which the uterus is retained in its situation are 

 sufficiently powerful to prevent any displacement of this kind ; and that it 

 can only be at a late period, when the foetus is fully developed, and, with 

 its membranes, has attained its maximum size and weight — so far as 

 uterine life is concerned, that such an occurrence is likely. And the 

 existence of torsion is generally only discovered when the time for the 

 expulsion of the foetus has arrived ; though it has been said that partu- 

 rition takes place earlier when torsion is present. 



As a rule, there is no particular indication of inconvenience or suffering 

 at the moment when torsion of the uterus has taken place, if it has 

 occurred before parturition ; and it would appear that gestation may go 

 on to its termination without any appreciable symptoms being noted, or 

 any thing like functional disturbance observed. 



Even in the initial stage of parturition, when enlargement of the udder, 

 sinking of the croup, swelling and dilatation of the vulva, etc., have 

 become manifest, there is no sign which can be relied upon to prove the 

 existence of torsion. Only in some instances it has been remarked that 

 the tumefaction of the vulva is not so great as in ordinary cases, and that 

 it remains dry, and appears to be buried more deeply between the ischial 

 tuberosities. 



Occasionally some difficulty in micturition is observed before parturi- 

 tion, should torsion have occurred : the urine escaping only in small 

 quantity at a time \ or there may be total suppression. This interference 

 with the discharge of the urine is due to the compression the bladder 

 experiences from one of the twists in the uterus. 



The first labor pains, which soon appear, are usually feeble and 

 separated by a comparatively long interval of quiet, during which the 

 animal appears to be nothing amiss. Nevertheless, as time goes on, 

 symptoms of colic are evinced now and again, and though the labor 

 pains succeed each other more rapidly, and become more energetic, yet 

 birth does not seem to advance; the "water-bag" does not show itself, 

 and nothing appears externally. This condition may persist for six, 

 twelve, twent3'-four, or even forty-eight hours ; when, if not before, the 

 veterinarian is perhaps requested to attend. 



In other instances, however, the symptoms are more marked and 

 severe during this first period. The animal appears to suffer from the 

 pain of intense uterine and abdominal spasms, marked by violent 

 straining, which comes on at longer or shorter. intervals ; it moves about 

 anxiously ; paws energetically now and again ; attempts to lie down ; 

 rests on its chest or sits like a dog on its hind-quarters ; springs up 

 suddenly, and often with a bound. The pulse is quickened, the skin 

 becomes alternately hot and cold, moist and dry; and the expulsive 

 efforts, though so violent, are of course futile. 



