344 MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



Bleeding has been advocated by some authorities — particularly on the 

 Continent ; but we quite agree with Saint-Cyr that, unless something very 

 unusual in the general condition of the animal demands it, the abstrac- 

 tion of blood is of very questionable value. 



Opium is of much service, from the influence it possesses in controlling 

 the uterine spasms ; it is therefore to be recommended when the "pains " 

 are severe and frequent. It may be given in large doses, both in draught 

 and enema, and frequently. 



Chloral hydrate and chloroform, particularly the former, are of great 

 utility, and possess advantages over opium as soothing agents. 



For a very long time, belladonna has enjoyed the reputation — and ap- 

 parently with justice — of being one of the best agents for combating 

 spasm of the cervix uteri, and permitting dilatation of the os. Occasion- 

 ally its efficacy has been contested, but the great balance of evidence is 

 in its favor, and its employment is almost a matter of course with every 

 veterinary obstetrist. It is generally applied in the form of extract around 

 the cervix, about a drachm or so being required for one application — it 

 is rare that a second application is needed. Time sliould be allowed for 

 its action. 



Sometimes it is attempted to dilate the os uteri by manipulation — the 

 fingers and hand being the dilators ; but this means should not be 

 adopted until milder measures have failed, and until time and patience 

 have been exhausted over them. The hand and fingers well oiled, or 

 smeared with extract of belladonna, should be introduced in the form of 

 a cone, towards the os ; if they cannot be passed into the canal in this 

 shape, then the insertion of one finger may be attempted, followed by a 

 second, and so on until the hand has been pushed through. 



Very frequently this cannot be accomplished at the first trial, nor yet 

 at the second ; but with patience and judgment it rarely fails, and if con- 

 ducted with the care and gentleness which all operations of this kind 

 should receive, such manipulation may be attempted without the least 

 danger at intervals of a few hours, until crowned with success. The 

 condition of the os should be ascertained, after a certain period has 

 elapsed since the last attempt, every precaution being adopted to prevent 

 injury ; and an entrance to the os ought only to be effected when the re- 

 sistance has greatly diminished, and can easily be overcome. 



A fairly typical case of this condition, and one which illustrates the evil results of 

 undue haste in attempting to effect delivery, is given by Cartwright ( Veterinarian, vol. 

 XV., p. 371). A Cow, three years old, when within about two days of calving, was found 

 straining violently, and had protruded a portion of the vagina and rectum. The os 

 uteri was not in the least dilated, but the Cervix felt larger and harder than usual, and 

 projected a good deal into the vagina. The head and feet of the calf could be felt by 

 examination -per rectum, and were not far from their natural position ; but when the an- 

 imal strained, they were forced with such violence against the rectum that it was feared 

 they would penetrate it, and large swellings were formed at the anus and vulva. Blood 

 was abstracted, and opium given in solution. In threfe hours the symptoms were not 

 so urgent, and more opium was given. During the night an amateur had repeatedly 

 examined the os uteri, had tried to dilate it, pulled out portions of hard lymph there- 

 from, and got. the fore-feet and head of the foetus into the passage ; afterwards, four or 

 five persons had been pulling at the latter with ropes, but could not get it away. Cart- 

 wright found the calf properly presented, but counselhd abstention for an hour or so, 

 as the OS was not sufficiently dilated. Two hours afterwards, it was attempted to ex- 

 tract the calf by three persons pulling at the cords attached to it, while the operator 

 tried to dilate the os. While traction was being made, the cervix protruded about five 

 inches beyond the vulva, and was excessively tight around the calf s head ; but from the 

 force of pulling, the " stricture " ruptured to the extent of four or five inches. The calf 



