376 FCETAL DYSTOKIA. 



Very thin membranes may, on the contrary, not resist the uterine con- 

 tractions for a sufficient length of time, and therefore rupture before the 

 OS is sufficiently dilated. The consequent escape of the " waters " will 

 render labor longer and more difficult. The utero-vaginal canal is dry 

 and retentive, and the contractions of the uterus are weaker and much 

 less effective. 



The treatment for both of these conditions has been already indicated. 



At page 359 we alluded to adhesions between the foetus, its membranes, 

 and the uterus, as a cause of protracted or impotent labor. We have 

 now to refer to adhesion of the membranes to each other, or to the foetus 

 only, as a cause of difficult labor. 



These adhesions are generally of the nature of fibrinous bands passing 

 between the membranes, or from the surface of the young creature's body 

 to the interior of its envelopes, due to the development of some local in- 

 flammation. Such cases are certainly rare, but their occurrence must 

 nevertheless be taken into account. 



One of the most interesting instances of this occurrence is given by Millot, and quoted 

 by Rainard {Op. cit., vol. i., p. 492). The animal, a Cow, was eight years old, and had 

 been in the pangs of labor for eight days. Some months before it had received a kick 

 on the abdomen from a horse, which caused it to show all the symptoms of impending 

 abortion. After eight days suffering, the symptoms subsided and the appetite returned ; 

 but emaciation persisted until the period for parturition. When this occurred the an- 

 imal was quickly exhausted, and Millot found it lying on the left side ; the eyes sunken ; 

 the visible mucous membranes pale ; the pulse frequent, small, and weak ; the respira- 

 tion hurried and plaintive ; the labicc vulvce tumified and the mucous membrane ecchy- 

 mosed, while a reddish-colored and foetid serum escaped from this opening. The fore- 

 feet of the calf presented, and on opening the vulva the head could be perceived. 



As every attempt to make the Cow stand on its feet had proved useless, it was de- 

 cided to remove the foetus while the mother was in the recumbent position ; but the 

 debility was so great that three bottles of hot wine had to be administered before ex- 

 traction could be attempted. And even then the Cow gave but little assistance, as the 

 pains had nearly subsided. Traction having proved ineffectual to advance the foetus, 

 the hand was introduced to discover the obstacle which hindered its progress. In pass- 

 ing it over the anterior surface of the head, a kind of flattened cord was felt passing be- 

 tween that part and the membranes. Nothing else being met with, this cord was cut, 

 when the foetus, which was dead, came away immediately. 



An examination of the calf showed that death had not occurred recently, as the hair 

 came off readily, and there was a foetid odor. The subcutaneous connective tissue of 

 the head was infiltrated with a yellow serosity, which greatly increased its size. On the 

 left frontal region — that to which the cord was attached — there was an indentation ex- 

 tending to below the orbit, and the bone was thickened ; while the corresponding part 

 of the brain was diminished in volume, the ventricle being nearly effaced, and the cere- 

 bral tissue had the color of yellow wax and the consistence of suet. No alteration was 

 noticed on the other side of the head. There was no doubt as to these lesions having 

 been produced by the kick from the horse a month previously. 



The cord attaching the head of the foetus to its envelopes, showed a peculiarity 

 worthy of attention in an anatomo-pathological point of view. It had the aspect of the 

 skin, and was covered with hair for more than an inch in extent, beyond which it was 

 composed of the normal layers of the envelopes. Where it was inserted into the head, 

 the skin was notably attenuated in a horse-shoe-like form. It seemed probable that a 

 shred of skin had become detached by the injury, and contracted adhesions with the 

 foetal membranes ; in this way constituting the cord covered with hair, which proved so 

 serious an impediment to birth. 



Vincent describes a very interesting case, in which the skin covering 

 the joints of the first and second phalanges of the right fore-leg of the 

 foetus had contracted close and strong adhesions with the envelopes, and 

 these with the uterine mucous membrane — in a somewhat similar manner 

 to that recorded by " Nemo," at page 360. These adhesions opposed a 



