ARTIFICIAL ABORTION 213 



of no importance. The puncture is made with Charliei's 

 trocar through the cervix or right flank. When operating 

 through the cervical canal, the finger is pushed forward as 

 much as possible, the canula is introduced and the mem- 

 branes punctured with the trocar. A thin catheter may also 

 be used in the same manner to puncture the envelopes. The 

 foetal waters flow off through the vagina. (Puncture through 

 the right flank is only practiced in hydrallantois). 



Usually twelve to fourteen hours pass between evacuation 

 of the foetal waters and manifestation of pains (Harms). 

 Dolmer described a case where the cow only calved after eight 

 days ; 100 1. of liquid were discharged by puncturing the flank. 



The injection of warm water between the uterine mucosa 

 and the chorion may be attempted to produce contractions of 

 the uterus. 



The mechanical dilatation of the cervical canal by a pre- 

 pared sponge is to be omitted, for fear of an infection. 



Pelzer recommends the injection of 150 g. of glycerine into 

 the uterus to produce pains. This method has occasionally 

 caused symptoms of intoxication in human obstetrics. 



The action of certain medicaments known as ecbolics, and 

 administered with a view to produce abortion, is unreliable. 

 We know that secale cornutum assists uterine contractions 

 when already present, but does not produce them primarily. 

 The same refers to sabina. But abortion may occur when 

 toxic doses are given. Thomassen effected partus prsematurus 

 in a cow with hernia uteri by injecting subcutaneously 0.1 g. 

 ergotin. 



Sequels. — When artificial abortion is finished, the placenta 

 must be expelled. In most cases the union between the 

 maternal and foetal placentae is quite firm and the uterine con- 

 tractions weak. The conditions in the cow are unfavorable 

 with regard to separation of the placenta; physiological 

 expulsion is already much slower than in other domestic 

 animals. 



Unless precautions are taken the secundines decompose, 

 endangering the life of the animal, so that artificial abortion is. 



