Infections of the Gravid Uterus 



47 



the second stage the hemorrhage is greater, the inter-pla- 

 cental hemorrhage forces the fetal and maternal placentae 

 apart, and the blood forces its way in great volume to every 

 part of the uterine cavity, enveloping the fetal sac in a vast 

 incapsulating hematoma, as shown in Fig. 166. The fetus 

 at once perishes from asphyxia. If bacteria are present, 

 they are non-pyogenic. After the cessation of the hemor- 

 rhage, the blood serum is slowly absorbed and the absorption 

 of the amniotic, allantoic, and tissue fluids gradually follows. 

 Finally there remains a hard, dry, rigid, and distorted dark 

 brown fetal cadaver, consisting of the dried skin, bones, and 

 other skeletal tissues with a thin parchment-like membrane 



Fig. 167— Inter-Placental Hemorrhage with Desiccation of Fetus- 



The desiccation has progressed farther than in Fig. 166. 



/, Hematoma in non-gravid horn ; 2, fetal ribs cut across ; j, hematoma in 



uterine body and gravid horn ; j, cranial bone (parietal?) of fetus, 



5, vagina ; CL, embedded corpus luteum of fetal retention. 



over them representing the fetal sac, with vestiges of the 

 hematoma. The cervical canal remains sealed ; the corpus 

 luteum of pregnancy sinks into the center of the ovary (em- 

 bedded corpus luteum) there to remain indefinitely, usually 

 as a permanent inhibitory force preventing the expulsion of 

 the desiccated cadaver, and inhibiting ovulation and estrum. 

 This is observed mostly in heifers. 



Since the animal has been bred and estrum does not recur, 

 pregnancy is assumed. If the hemorrhage occurs late in 

 pregnancy, the patient shows the abdominal enlargement of 

 pregnancy and the fetus may be recognizable by ballotte- 



