OTHER CAUSES OF MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 365 



orifices — an inferior and a superior, and nearly of equal dimensions ; three fingers could 

 scarcely be passed into either of them. 



This obstacle to birth having been recognized, the necessity for removing it by inci- 

 sion was apparent. It was divided in the middle by a bistoury, and the constricted 

 vagina then became widely dilated, when a well-formed living Calf was soon produced, 



2. Hermann, a Swiss Veterinary Surgeon {Journal de Med. Veterinaire de Lyon, 1851, 

 p. 73), met with a similar case in 1849. In a quey, he found a thick resisting membrane 

 in the vagina, which offered an obstacle to parturition, and which partitioned that canal 

 into two portions. When incised, delivery took place. 



3. Hamm [Magizinfiir Thierheilkimde, 1842, p. 185) attended a Cow which had gone 

 nine days beyond its time for calving, when it commenced to show symptoms of that act. 

 With the early labor pains, there appeared at the vulva a round tumor as large as a 

 man's head, and which appeared to be covered by the vaginal mucous membrane. On 

 pressure, this tumor fluctuated, and on a careful examination it was perceived that the 

 membrane covering the tumor was the hymen. On incising this, a large quantity of 

 mucus, which had collected between it and the cervix uteri, escaped. The os was con- 

 tracted at this time, but it soon dilated, and birth occurred without any trouble. 



4. Vincenzo-Luatti [Recueil de Med. Veterinaire, 1859) alludes to a Cow — a primipara 

 and three years old, which, otherwise in good health, was affected by complete proci- 

 dence of the vagina. On examining the parts, this Veterinarian found a white ligamentous 

 band, two or two and a half inches wide, and the third of an inch in thickness, very strong, 

 and attached above and below to the walls of the vagina, so as completely to' occlude 

 the canal — at least so far as exploration was concerned. Both surfaces were quite free. 



Luatti introduced a straight probe-pointed bistoury as high as possible between the 

 band and cervix, and at a single cut divided the former to near its inferior insertion. 

 Then the prolapsed vagina was reduced, a retaining bandage was applied, and the labor 

 pains, which had not yet shown themselves, were waited for. In six or seven days, Luatti 

 was informed that the Cow had calved, and that it and the offspring were well. 



TreatmeJit. 



The indications for treatment, when the hymen is present and an 

 obstacle to birth, are obvious : divide it at once. This division may be 

 made in the middle of the membi;ane, and does not demand any particular 

 care or surgical knowledge ; though it is well to make a close examination 

 before the incision is made, in order to avoid making a mistake should the 

 membrane appear as a tumor. 



Vaginal and Vulvular Constriction or Atresia. 



Stenosis and Atresia of the vulva and vagina have not unfrequently 

 been recorded as either delaying, or altogether preventing, parturition in 

 animals, according as the obstruction is incomplete or complete. 



This condition may exist previous to impregnation, and to such an 

 extent as to offer no obstacle whatever to that act ; or it may become 

 developed in the interval between impregnation and parturition. Of 

 course, if atresia is complete, and of such a character that the spermatic 

 particles cannot pass into the os uteri, impregnation cannot take place, 

 and the animal remains sterile. 



The condition may, therefore, be congenital or acquired. Incomplete 

 congenital stenosis of these passages is not at all uncommon in young ani- 

 mals, in which the vulva and vagina are often so constricted and inelas- 

 tic, that during copulation they are injured, and this injury tends still 

 more to diminish their calibre and dilatability during pregnancy. Con- 

 genital stenosis to a very abnormal degree may sometimes exist, how- 

 ever, without any apparent traumatic influence. 



A recent case of this description is recorded by Macgillivray ( Veterinary Jotirnal, 

 December, 1876). Called in to see a two-year-old Heifer which was reported to be 

 suffering from constipation of the bowels, he found the creature very uneasy, straining 

 every few minutes, and voiding small pellets of dung. The urine was natural ; abdo- 



