DROPSY OF THE FCETAL MEMBRANES 139 



belly increase rapidly, respiration becomes difficult, appetite 

 and rumination are lessened, the animal becomes a mere 

 skeleton and dies unless slaughtered before. Hernia of enor- 

 mous size and ruptures of the uterus are also met with. Spon- 

 taneous recovery in cows with hydrallantois, so to speak, 

 occasionally takes place by abortion. Although the latter 

 occurs but rarely, it is a most favorable termination. 



Therapeutics. — Therapeutic measures depend on the cause. 

 The cause must be removed. We are able to do this by pro- 

 ducing artificial abortion. Thus the foetal waters are evacuated 

 and the detrimental influences exerted by the greatly distended 

 uterus upon the other abdominal viscera'cease. In those cases 

 where the fingers can enter the cervix uteri, treatment is exceed- 

 ingly simple ; the membranes are perforated and waters allowed 

 to discharge. After some time labor pains begin and the foetus 

 can be expelled or extracted. 



In most cases the finger cannot even enter the os uteri. 

 Although it is possible to dilate the cervix uteri (see "Partus 

 Prsematurus Artificialis "), simpler means are at our disposal 

 to temporarily relieve the cow, by relieving the intra-abdominal 

 tension; this may be followed by parturition. This is done 

 by puncturing from the right abdominal wall. Cartwright 

 originated this method. St. Cyr aud Violet, and also Goring, 

 do not recommend this method, the former especially advising 

 against the use of the trocar and canula. 



I myself have operated in this manner several times in 

 hydrallantois, without observing any injurious effects (also 

 Leimer and Ymker). Parturition was occasionally retarded, 

 which induced me to open the cervix uteri and produce abortion. 



It does not matter how abortion is produced, as long as it 

 is done early and carefully. After discharge of the foetal waters, 

 labor pains are weak, as the uterus was so greatly distended. 

 The calf therefore must be extracted, — by no means always an 

 easy task, since the foetus is hard to reach. Whenever neces- 

 sary, therefore, the cow is put on her back. 



Too rapid an evacuation of the foetal waters must be 

 avoided, as it may produce a collateral cerebral anemia ; the 



