674 Veterinary Obstetrics 



such as serious fractures and dislocations, when causing decubitis, 

 tend strongly to induce maternal dystokia. 



Parturient paresis, in those rare cases where it attacks a cow 

 prior to, or during parturition, inhibits the expulsive powers and 

 causes dystokia. The fetus, though normal in size, presenta- 

 tion and position, is not expelled, but lies in the inert uterus 

 throughout the course of the disease, unless artifically extracted. 



The diagnosis of dystokia due to deficient expelling powers is 

 to be based primarily upon the general condition of the animal, 

 its emaciation and weakness, the presence of decubitus, and with 

 these a fetus of normal size, form, presentation and position. 

 The maternal passages are normal, and the os uteri dilated or 

 dilatable, but there is an absence of vigorous expulsive efforts. 



The handling of dystokia of this character will depend upon 

 the cause. If the feeble labor pains are referable to debility and 

 emaciation, stimulants are indicated, combined with judicious 

 traction. The case should not be left in the hope of a natural 

 delivery, risking the exhaustion of the patient. 



We have already dealt with the dystokia of the ante-partum 

 paralysis in the cow, and shall later consider the question of 

 parturient paresis. 



2. Pelvic Constriction. 



The pelves of breeding animals may depart more or less from 

 the normal, in such a way as to render parturition difficult or 

 impossible. Pelvic constriction may be due to disease of the 

 general system, or to deformity of the pelvis as the result of 

 some accident. 



a. Rachitis. Rachitis is not at all rare among domestic ani- 

 mals, but does not as a rule result in serious deformity of the 

 pelvis, as is so frequently observed in woman. The principal 

 part of the weight of the quadrupedal animal falls upon the 

 anterior feet, so that the weight upon the pelvis is comparatively 

 slight and not well Calculated to cause pelvic deformity. Be- 

 sides, the bones of most species of domestic animals are well 

 advanced in ossification at the time of birth, and in rachitis tend 

 rather to break than bend. This is especially true of horses, 

 cattle and sheep, and in these we have no very good proof of 

 serious rachitic deformity of the pelvis. In countries where 

 swine are kept largely in styes, and upon a more or less limited 



