DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS 71 



nen'ous and irritable. The tendency of pregnant animals to put 

 on fat is frequently taken advantage of by the stockman, who 

 may allow the boar to run with the herd during the latter period 

 of fattening. 



The increase in the volume of the al)domen may be con- 

 sidered a jmsitive sign of pregnancy in the small animals, but 

 in the mare and cow it can not be depended on. Animals that 

 are pregnant for the first time, do not show as great an increase 

 in the volume of the abdomen as do animals that have gone 

 through successive pregnant periods. The volume of the abdo- 

 men may vary greatly in the different individuals, and can not 

 be depended on as a positive indication of pregnancy during 

 the first two-thirds of the period of pregnancy in the larger 

 domestic animals. 



Comparatively early in pregnancy, the presence of a fretus 

 can be determined hx feeling the uterus through the wall of the 

 rectum. In the small domestic animals the feeling of the abdo- 

 men gives the best results. In the cow this method of diag- 

 nosis is practised during the latter periods of pregnancy. The 

 examiner stands with his back toward the animal's head, and on 

 the right side of the cow and the left side of the mare. The 

 palm of the hand is applied against the abdominal wall, about 

 eight or ten inches in front of the stifle and just below the flank. 

 Moderate pressure is used, and if a hard, voluminous mass is 

 felt, or if the fcetus moves, it is a sure sign that the animal is 

 pregnant. It is not uncommon for the foetus to show some 

 movement in the morning, or after the animal drinks freely of 

 cold water. The increase in the volume of the udder occurs 

 at a comparatively early period in animals that are pregnant 

 for the flrst time. The secretion of milk and the dropping of 

 the muscles of the quarters indicate that parturition is near. 

 The Abderhalden test for determining whether or not an animal 

 is pregnant is now practised. 



Hygiene of Pregnant Animals. — Pregnant animals that are 



