1038 Veterhiary Obstetrics 



position shown in Fig. 56, on page 337. Fleming admits that 

 this retraction of the artery takes place in the ruminant. The 

 only difference, so far as we are able to observe, is that the cord 

 of the ruminant is so short that it ruptures during birth, and 

 ligation is consequently excluded. In the foal, the cord is very 

 long and does not spontaneously rupture so promptly. It con- 

 sequently affords an opportunity for mischief-making by at- 

 tendants, who may so fix the arteries with a ligature that they 

 cannot retract. 



Fleming claims that hemorrhage may occur from the umbilic 

 vein in ruminants, because of the presence of the ductus venosus, 

 although why this should predispose the animal to the accident 

 is not made clear. Zundel claims that in some individuals a 

 predisposition to umbilic hemorrhage exists. Fleming alludes 

 to the possibility of hemorrhage occurring from the umbilic cord 

 when the animal is several days old. Perhaps in this case he is 

 dealing with secondary hemorrhage due to an infection of the 

 artery, probably as a result of ligation of the cord without 

 proper antiseptic precautions. It is claimed also that hemor- 

 rhage may be caused by the umbilic cord rupturing too close to 

 the umbilic ring, though why this should be so does not appear. 



A neighboring veterinary practitioner related a case to us of 

 fatal umbilic hemorrhage in a foal, in which case the cord had 

 been ligated and later excised. So far as could be determined, it 

 seemed that the hemorrhage was the indirect result of the liga- 

 tion. The artery had been caught and held by the ligature, 

 but, since it was not bound sufficiently tight to prevent hemor- 

 rhage, remained stretched. The blood pressure was probably 

 increased because of the ligation. 



Whatever the cause of umbilic hemorrhage, such cause needs 

 be removed if possible, in order to control the escape of blood. 

 If the cord is too long, and perchance has been ligated, it should 

 be divided at the proper point by scraping or tearing. In the 

 foal, the point for division is about two to three inches from the 

 umbilic ring. After the division of the cord, the Whartonian 

 gelatine is to be pressed out and the arteries permitted to retract 

 into the abdominal cavity, when hemorrhage must necessarily 

 cease. If for any reason the artery does not retract, it should 

 be separated from the surrounding tissues and carefully ligated 

 under anti.septic precautions. Should hemorrhage from the 



