220 DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND SEXUAL APPARATUS 



introducing the index finger, well oiled, into the vagina, the other hand 



putting pressure on the abdominal wall; and if we find the foetus is in 



position, the head is felt in the dilated os (the breech presentation is 



also seen, but is rare) and the pelvic cavity normal, artificial assistance 



is contraindicated, at least for an hour or two; if at the end of that time 



the head has not advanced, ergot must be given inter- 



'tfT a^ nally or, subcutaneously, massage of the uterus through 



ij the abdominal wall, and applications of warm cloths to 



' ' the abdomen. 



One writer speaks very highly of glycerine in 1 to 

 10 solution with warm w'ater as an agent to encourage 

 the contraction of the uterus in cases of difficult part- 

 urition; it is injected directly into the uterus. If the 

 animal is depressed and weak, administer stimulants — 

 whiskey, wine, or alcohol or spirits of camphor internally 

 or subcutaneously — and if these fail to produce the birth 

 of the foetus it may have to be removed by forceps, of 

 which there are a variety, the simplest of which are the 

 most useful, hooks — (Fig. 89). — or the foetus may be 

 noosed by means of a coj^per wire or cotton cord held in 

 a tube (see Fig. 90) . 



Fluid extract of ergot 1.0 to 2.0 every half hour, or 

 if the animal vomits give 0.50 to 0.75 of ergot hypoderm- 

 ically every half hour. 



In some cases where the bitch is observed by the 

 veterinarian, it is well to irritate the vagina and uterus 

 between the birth of each puppy, and particularly so 

 after the animal has delivered the last foetus; the best 

 solution is a mild solution of corrosive sublimate 1 to 

 3000, or boracic acid solution. "When the foetus is dead 

 and the membranes are commencing putrefaction, the 

 constant application of antiseptics must be made until 

 either the foetus and memln-ane are expelled or removed surgically. 



When the foetus is in an irregular position, and after failing to remove 

 it by means of forceps, finger, loop, etc., or if the foetus is so very large 

 that it is impossible to get it through the pelvic opening, or if it cannot be 

 reached, so that it can be cut into sections, or if the pelvis is contracted, 

 due to permanent cicatricial contractions, or a tumor present in the 

 uterus or vagina, we must perform the Caesarean section. 



Caesarean Section, Hysterotomy, Secto Caesarea. — This is a very 

 dangerous operation. To have any chance of success the operations 

 should be performed before the animal is in a state of collapse, or the 

 foetus is dead and commencing to decay, or the temperature has not 



Fig. S9. — Retrac- 

 tors, single and 

 double. 



