OTHER CAUSES OF MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 



361 



being made to adjust the fcetus, the Marc threw itself down, and strained so violently 

 that the fore limbs and shoulders of the foal were expelled ; though the amount of 

 traction exercised by two strong men could bring it no farther. More help was obtalined, 

 and the foal was advanced a little. " At length a noise, as of something cracking in- 

 side the Mare, was heard, and out came the foal with the placenta and the uterus ; the 

 latter being attached to the foetus, around its abdomen and loins. In a short time the 

 bowels followed — having escaped through a lesion in the womb ; the poor animal soon 

 sank. On inquiry, I was told that the Mare had received a hurt in the autumn of the 

 preceding year, from the giving way of a bridge when she was upon it. She was got 

 out of the water with difificulty, but did not appear to be much injured." " I have seen 

 a calf adhering in a similar manner, but could not learn any thing of the previous his- 

 tory of the Cow." 



Rainard does not mention whether the foetus in Vincent's case was 

 alive ; but this could scarcely be possible. Neither does he state whether 

 the Mare lived. He, however, justly remarks that Veterinary Surgeons 

 should be aware of the possibility of such adhesions, either with the pla- 

 centa or the envelopes, and, through them, with the uterus ; and that 

 they are otherwise easier recognized than those external to the uterus. 



The hand, introduced into the uterine cavity, is passed over its inner 

 surface, around the foetus, as it were : and by this means the existence, 

 seat, extent, and resistance of the adhesions will, in the majority of cases, 

 be ascertained. When the adhesions are situated towards the fundus of 

 the organ — its most distant part, and where the hand cannot reach, then 

 there will be difficulty ; but this must be overcome by raising the uterus 

 and throwing it backwards, by elevating the front part of the animal's 

 body, and lifting the abdomen by means of a plank, blanket, or sack. 



Most frequently the adhesions can be broken up by the fingers ; but if 

 they are too strong, then a bistoury or other convenient instrument will 

 have to be employed. Their incision must be carefully made, and the 

 '' crutch " or " repeller " (to be hereafter described) will be usefid in 

 keeping the foetus away from the part where the separation is being 

 effected. The cutting should be done gradually and steadily, the point 

 of the instrument being kept at an equal distance between the foetus and 

 the mucous surface of the uterus. 



In alluding to these zV/Ar;/^?/ adhesions, we may observe that some very 

 rare cases are recorded, in which parturition was opposed by external ad- 

 hesions between the peritoneal covering of the uterus and the sac of a 

 hernia, or neighboring viscera. 



Stricture or Occlusion of the Uterus by External Bands or 



Membranes. 



Several writers have described the presence of bands or membranes 

 external to the uterus — either in the peritoneal cavity or vagina — obstruct- 

 ing the passage of the foetus and rendering birth almost, if not quite im- 

 possible without an operation. 



Gunther, Gelle, Rainard, Cartwright, Herman, Mignon, Rolland, and 

 Colme have observed this cause of dystokia. 



1. Gunther [Lehrbiich der Pradischen Veterinar-Geburtshiilfe) mentions a band about 

 the length and thickness of a finger between the vagina and cervix uteri of a Cow, and 

 which impeded delivery. It was readily discovered, and after its division birth took 

 place. 



2. Gelle [Journal Pratique de Med. Veterinaire, p. 72) states that in the early part of 

 March, 1829, a Cow, in its eighth month of pregnane}', received a blow from the horn 

 of another Cow, From that time it was observed to be unwell, being dull and not 



