MORBID ALTERATIONS IN THE GENITAL ORGANS. 341 

 2. Rigidity of the Cervix Uteri. 



/Rigidity or spas7n of the cervix uteri is a condition notunfrequently met 

 with among animals — most frequently in the Cow, next in the Goat, and 

 less often in the Mare. It appears to be more common with nervous, 

 irritable animals, and especially primiparce, than others ; though it is 

 sometimes noted in emaciated and debilitated animals, and even in those 

 which are old, and which have previously brought forth without any 

 trouble. 



Without any modification in the structure of the cervix, but merely by 

 a kind of rigid contraction of its fibres, the os remains closed, and can- 

 not be dilated by the efforts of the parturient animal. '^The cervix is not 

 soft and elastic, as in the normal condition, but feels prominent and rigid, 

 and shows less sensibility than usual ; while the os will not admit a fin- 

 ger, or if it does, it grasps it most powerfully. 



The majority of veterinarians admit the existence of spasm of the cer- 

 vix, while others maintain that rigidity and' spasm are synonymous terms, 

 in so far as this conditioh is concerned. The first are ready to confess, 

 however, that spasm is not always present, because very often the " pains " 

 are feeble and few, and the absence of dilatation appears to be due rath- 

 er to something abnormal in the contractility of the uterus, as a whole, 

 than of this part in particular ; whereas, when there is spasm, it has 

 usually been observed that there are inordinate and disordered contrac- 

 tions of the organ. In short, it has been attempted to prove that in 

 rigidity of tlie cervix there is a purely passive condition of this part, while 

 in spasm there is an active contraction of the organ. In reality, there is 

 no marked distinction between the two conditions, at least so far as ob- 

 stetrical practice is concerned ; and this form of dystokia, in its more 

 salient features, might be looked upon as merely an exaggerated mani- 

 festation of that derangement which we have designated tumultuous or 

 irregular parturition, or '"false \dhor " {metripercinesis, 2iS distinguished 

 from ?netracinesia, or feebleness of the uterine contractions), in which the 

 contractions are irregular or partial. 



We have pointed out that there are two sets 6i muscles in the uterus — 

 the circular and longitudinal, and that there exists a marked antagonism 

 between the circular fibres of the cervix and fundus of the organ, and 

 the longitudinal fibres. So that if the first are more active than the sec- 

 ond, and the latter cannot, as a consequence, overcome the resistance 

 they offer, the os remains closed and labor cannot advance. This is, 

 we think, the true explanation of this condition. 



Symptoms. 



The symptoms vary somewhat. In one case there is at first nothing 

 unusual to be noted, the pains being manifested with their usual regu- 

 larity and intensity, and the animal is in noways distressed. The only 

 thing that is likely to awaken suspicion, is the unusual duration of partu- 

 rition, which may extend over two, three, four, or more days, if assistance 

 be not afforded. As the period is prolonged, the animal may in some 

 instances lose condition, exhibit indications of exhaustion and suffering, 

 and gradually sink ; or it may appear ill for some days, then rally and 

 assume its ordinary appearance — constituting a case of " missed birth.'' * 



* We may here call attention to certain signs presented bv Cows, and which have been described by 

 Biot {Rectteil de Mid. VHirinaire, September, 1876, p. 1007) as essentially pathognomomic of uterine 



