MUMMIFICATION OF THE FCETUS 125 



tions. Whenever disinfection of the floor of the stable and 

 washing of the external genitals and tail with carbolic acid or 

 creolin solution were added to the hypodermic injection, the 

 results were most favorable. 



11. Boer Hzn and J. M. Billroth, in Friesland and Northern 

 Holland, have obtained excellent results from Brauer's injec- 

 tions, in stables where abortion was permanent. 



II. 

 DISEASES OF THE FCETUS AND ITS ANNEXES. 



1. — Mummification of the Foetus. 



The developing foetus may die or undergo many changes 

 during uterine or extra-uterine pregnancy. The etiology will 

 show that the variety of changes depends on different circum- 

 stances. Only those changes are discussed here occurring in 

 intra-uteriue pregnancy. In regard to the decomposition 

 taking place in the foetns of normal size, and which may lead to 

 dystokia, I refer to the chapter on " Emphysema of the Foetus." 



Definition. — By mummification, that state of the dead foetus 

 is understood, where the body has experienced a dry necrosis. 

 The foetus has dried up, the tissue plasma is apparently 

 resorbed, while the macroscopic and microscopic structure of 

 the tissue is still preserved for some time. 



The whole forms a solid, hard mass, on which the various 

 parts of the body can still be recognized ; therefore the name 

 stone foetus, lithojjcedion, osteopedion (Numan, Franck, Forster, 

 Cohnheim). 



Such mummified foetuses are frequently seen in cows. As a 

 rule they are only observed on slaughter, and offer different 

 aspects depending on the time during which they remained in 

 the uterus. This interval, starting with conception, is twelve 

 months to two years, and sometimes even longer. Among 

 others, Figuier reported a case where the mummified foetus 

 inhabited the uterus five years. 



