342 MATERMAL DYSTOKIA. 



In other instances, the creature manifests an unusual amount of ex- 

 citement at first ; there is agitation, straining, and symptoms of colicky 

 pains ; the abdomen is frequently looked at by the animal, which lies 

 down but soon gets up again ; the pulse is full, strong, and frequent ; the 

 conjunctivae are injected ; the skin is hot ; faeces and urine are passed at 

 frequent intervals ; there is thirst and anorexia \ and sometimes during 

 the throes the vagina is protruded beyond the vulva, and appears as a 

 large red mass. 



A vaginal exploration is necessary, in order to learn the cause of ob- 

 struction. This should be carefully and gently made — the latter pre- 

 caution being most important to observe during the throes. It may be 

 necessary, if the mucous membrane is dry, to inject some emollient fluid 

 into the vagina, or introduce it by a sponge. 



When the hand is passed through the vagina, the os will be found more 

 or less contracted, so that scarcely one or two fingers can be introduced 

 into it, owing to the spasmodic resistance it offers, while the cervix pre- 

 serves its elongated shape. 



In the Cow, Saint-Cyr has frequently found the cervix and vagina filled 

 with a tenacious gluey matter, which sticks to the fingers like bird-lime, 

 and which, by glueing together the margin and walls of the os, doubtless 

 increases the resistance the canal offers to dilatation. 



If the finger can be introduced into the os, it will be found that there 

 is neither deformity nor morbid induration, and that the constriction is 

 due to the fibres of the cervix alone. 



Saint-Cyr points out that, contrary to what we have state'd above, the 

 cervix uteri is sometimes completely effaced ; the bottom of the vagina 

 being occupied by a kind of smooth-surfaced ball, in the centre of which 

 is a narrow opening, and through which the foetus can be felt. The con- 

 vex body is the posterior segment of the uterus which, pressed by the 

 hand or some other part of the foetus, is pushed into the vagina ; while 

 the small aperture is the os — partially effaced and undilated. This trace 

 of the OS, instead of being in the centre, is at times more or less to one 

 side, and occasionally it can only be found with much difficulty. 

 * 



Diagnosis. 



From the symptoms enumerated, there should not be much doubt or 

 delay in diagnosing this cause of dystokia. As in so many other in- 

 stances, however, the necessity for a correct diagnosis is imperative, as 

 on its accuracy will depend the success of treatment. 



If the exploration has been carefully made, the state of the cervix will 

 dt once explain the delay in birth. Perhaps the only other condition of 

 the cervix with which it might be confpunded is " induration ; " but in 

 spasm this part is hot, tense, and painful, and neither hard, lumpy, nor 

 deformed, as in the latter. 



disturbance in these animals, and for this reason have been specially designated as uterine. These signs, 

 upon which he places the greatest diagnostic value, are observed when the sick Cow is approached or 

 touched in any way. The animal then "suddenly elongates the neck, extends the head, yawns, protudes 

 the tongue, and emits at the same time a kind of aull moan, but which is rather a powerful expiration than 

 a real moan." When these signs are present, Biot asserts that the corps delit — the disturbance — is in the 

 uterus, and never elsewhere. Laborious or protracted parturition, mal-positions of the foetus or monstrous 

 conformation, occlusion or induration of the cervix uteri, hydramnios, torsion of the uterus ; and after par- 

 turition, inversion of the uterus, retention of the plecenta, and vitulary fever with or without paralysis ;— 

 all these may give rise to the manifestation of this singular piienomenon, which he has never witnessed in 

 any other affection — not even in chronic diseases of the uterus. 



