MUMMIFICATION OF THE FGETUS 127 



Mummification only occurs when the air is excluded. It is 

 not necessary that the cervix uteri is hermetically sealed ; it 

 may even be partially open, as in a one-fourth revolution of 

 the uterus ; but the foetal membranes must be intact. As long as 

 they are not ruptured, low organisms cannot influence the foetus 

 detrimentally (Franck). Mummification of the foetus takes 

 an aseptic course. Entrance of air may give rise to a chronic 

 metritis, resulting in a muco-purulent exudate which is tinged 

 red on account of the decomposition of the blood corpuscles of 

 the venous thrombi. The entire process, on the whole, does 

 not affect the cow seriously. 



Symptoms. — Death of the foetus and the labor pains 

 following it are characterized by phenomena which are often 

 not recognized as such and overlooked. Especially when death 

 of the foetus and the prevented expulsion occur in the fourth or 

 fifth month, the symptoms are of limited duration and of little 

 intensity. 



The only thing observed in such a cow is the following : 

 She does not feed well, ruminates slowly or not at all ; the hard 

 fseces are expelled in small quantities and with straining ; 

 micturition is frequent but limited in amount ; the left flank is 

 slightly bloated. Occasionally the animal kicks with its feet 

 against the belly, or stamps with the hind legs, frequently seen 

 in intestinal invagination. 



The diagnosis is here usually indigestion, and the cow is 

 treated accordingly. These symptoms decrease in two to four 

 days or disappear entirely, and the diagnosis and treatment are 

 looked upon as correct. At this period the process of mummi- 

 fication begins. 



The phenomena just mentioned are caused by the contrac- 

 tions of the uterus ; which are less strong than in normal 

 parturition, as the expelling powers of the uterus are limited. 

 The pains, now and then assisted by the abdominal muscles, 

 were unsuccessful because some disturbance interfered with 

 expulsion. After the uterus eventually becomes fatigued 

 through the repeated contractions, and a few of the foetal 

 placenta separate from the maternal placenta, the foetal liquor 



