424 Veterinary Obstetrics 



In solipeds, fracture of the vertebral column is not rare. 



The diagnosis of the malady is not easy, as there occur no very 

 definite symptoms, except those of general ill-health, until per- 

 haps a fracture occurs and this too often is referred to accident. 

 When a fracture occurs in a pregnant animal, without sufficient 

 known accident, the fact may well arouse suspicion of osteo- 

 malacic. 



The prognosis, once the disea.se is well established, is very 

 grave. When the malady becomes enzootic and. as a conse- 

 quence, its nature is recognized early, much may be accomplished 

 by improved hygiene conditions, especially by a liberal supply of 

 nutritious food of proper quality. With these improvements, 

 further benefit may be derived from the administration of nux 

 vomica and iodide of potash. vSome recommend phosphoric acid 

 or calcium phosphate, internally. 



DROP.SY OF THE AmNION AND AlLANTOIS. 



Hydrops Amnii. Hydrallantois. 



When describing the amnion and allantois we alluded to the 

 fact that there is regularly present an amount of fluid within 

 each of these sacs, which may vary in different individuals of the 

 same species, the quantity in the mare and cow being usually 

 about 5 to 6 1. of amniotic, and 6 to 15 1. of allantoic fluid. When 

 it materially exceeds this amount we have the condition known 

 as dropsy of the amnion. This affection occurs in various do- 

 mesticated animals. It has been observed chiefly in the cow 

 and next in the mare, though Saint-Cyr records one ca.se in the 

 goat, and Merrick has observed it in the ewe and bitch. 



Generally the exact nature of the disease has not been fully 

 determined and, in the majority of cases which we meet clinically, 

 we do not determine whether the fluid is chiefly or wholly within 

 the amnion or the allantois. In woman, where the allantois is 

 devoid of a cavity from an early date, the dropsy naturally occurs 

 in the amnion. Because of this fact, veterinarians refer generally 

 to the malady as hydrops anuiii, regardless of the fact that the 

 collection may be in either or both .sacs. In our domestic ani- 

 mals, where the allantoic cavity is quite as extensive as, or larger 

 than the amnion, the fluid may be collected in either membrane 

 or may pass from the one sac into the other through the urethra, 



