Artificial Abortion 149 



tra of the catheter, prevents the return of the fluid. If the 

 catheter is removed, the detached embryonic sac blocks the 

 cervical canal, the distended uterine walls contract, rup- 

 ture takes place, and the fetus drops into the peritoneal cav- 

 ity. Therefore it is safer to introduce a few ounces of fluid 

 only, thus avoiding the peril of rupture. The fluid should 

 be antiseptic, because, as a rule, the uterine cavity is septic 

 and a neutral fluid stimulates the bacteria present. The 

 fluid introduced must not be highly irritant. 



While the induction of abortion by means of the uterine 

 douche is quite reliable in bringing about the expulsion of 

 the uterine contents, it is neither the safest nor the best 

 plan. HessO) was first to draw attention to the reliability 

 with which abortion may be induced in heifers and cows by 

 dislodging the corpus luteum of pregnancy. This operation 

 possesses the great advantage over the preceding plan of 

 causing the abortion in an approximately physiologic man- 

 ner. That is, it acts directly, by removing the inhibiting 

 power of the corpus luteum, and establishes uterine con- 

 tractions closely simulating those of parturition and men- 

 struation, without the intervention of any mechanical insult 

 to the cervix and uterus. The abortion follows in one to 

 three days. 



The operation is easy and safe in early pregnancy. As 

 late as ninety to one hundred and twenty days, the operator 

 can pick up the ovary of pregnancy per rectum with one 

 hand, carry it back over the vagina, introduce the other 

 hand into the vagina, grasp the ovary through its roof, and 

 compress the base of the corpus luteum firmly between the 

 thumb and fingers until the body is wholly dislodged. 

 Sometimes the yellow body breaks up under pressure, so 

 that only a portion is dislodged. The operator should be 

 careful to press it all out. Later in pregnancy, the ovary 

 can not be carried back over the vagina. In small heifers, 

 the vulva may not permit the passage of the hand. Then it 

 is essential to dislodge the corpus luteum by compression 

 from the rectum. This must be done cautiously, since the 



1 Hess, Professor E., Schweitzer Archives fur Tierheilkunde, No. 6, 1906, 

 P- 35i- 



