628 Veterinary Obstetrics 



the fetus and its relation to the genital organs and the pelvis, 

 should give us a clear conception of the difficulties which are to be 

 overcome, and indicate the method by which they may be sur- 

 mounted. 



It is also essential, after the examination has been made, that a 

 judicious prognosis should be reached, both as related to the 

 mother and to the fetus or fetuses. It should be determined whether 

 the life of the mother can probably be saved, and by what means, 

 and whether, in case she is saved, her condition will be such as 

 to render it worth our while either from an economic or a senti- 

 mental standpoint. If the life of the mother cannot be saved by 

 an operation, it is evidently needless to make a prolonged effort 

 in her behalf. If she may be saved, but her condition will ren- 

 der her of little or no economic value, or would overcome any 

 sentimental reasons for preserving her life, then the situation 

 should be made perfectly clear to the owner. For example, in 

 a case of dystokia in the mare, which has been meddled with by 

 an empiric, and in which the fetus has been dead for along period 

 of time and has become putrid, and perhaps in addition there is a 

 rupture in the uterus which must inevitably lead to a fatal termi- 

 nation, it is clearly injudicious for the veterinarian to attempt 

 delivery, and he should strongly insist upon the destruction of 

 the animal. 



On the other hand, so long as there is reasonable hope that 

 the animal's life may be saved, it is the duty of the veterinarian 

 to do whatever may be in his power to accomplish this purpose. 



The veterinarian, in his prognosis, should refrain with equal 

 care from radical optimism and pessimism. The destruction of 

 a patient suffering from dystokia should not be recommended or 

 urged except upon the most unequivocal grounds. It is a com- 

 mon observation for one veterinarian to pronounce a case hope- 

 less and the dystokia insurmountable, and for another veterinarian, 

 by intelligent work, to save the life and value of the animal. 



Sometimes the veterinarian gives an unfavorable prognosis 

 and advises destruction in order to escape from a difficult or re- 

 pulsive task. This is very bad policy, and lowers the standing of 

 the veterinarian. If possible to save the patient, the veterinarian 

 should proceed to make an earnest attempt to do so. After 

 having done his utmost, his responsibility ends. In other in- 

 stances, like in severe cases of rupture of the prepubian tendon, 

 it is impossible to bring about a recovery of the mother from the 



