186 PATHOLOGY OF FllEGXAXCY. 



Eesults. — The occurrence of hydrops amnii is nearly always fatal to 

 the foetus. In none of the cases recorded was it alive ; in a certain 

 number it appeared to have lived up to the period of parturition or 

 abortion ; in others it had been arrested in its development, and was 

 dead for some time. In a Goat, the two foetuses were in a state of 

 general anasarca, being completely infiltrated. 



The mother may or may not survive. Of the above cases four perished 

 from the disease ; one was killed as incurable ; another recovered after 

 a long time ; one was subsequently sold for food ; and seven or eight got 

 well so rapidly and completely as to be bred from again. The results 

 have, as a rule, been more favourable as assistance has been prompt 

 and early. 



After death the uterus is found excessively dilated, its walls pale in 

 texture, with ecchymoses on its surface. The foetal membranes vary, 

 sometimes being thickened and dense, and at other times attenuated 

 and friable. The fluid has been found contained in alveoli or cells, 

 formed by the processes uniting the allantois to the amnion ; so that 

 the membranes might be torn in several places without all the fluid 

 escaping — in this respect resembling the vitreous humour of the eye. 

 The liquor is usually limpid and transparent, or of a pale citron colour, 

 with a slightly sweetish taste ; its quantity, as has been remarked, is 

 always considerable : as much as 50, 70, 100, 120, 150, and even 200 

 litres having been found. 



The digestive organs are nearly empty, even in Bovines. 



Etiology. — As in woman, so in animals, the etiology of this condi- 

 tion is not well understood ; but it would appear that it may be due to 

 several very diverse causes. Multiparae are much more frequently 

 affected than primiparae, and it nearly always occurs during the early 

 months of pregnancy ; the foetus is generally little developed, and in 

 the majority of instances is dead before it is expelled. It has been 

 supposed that obstruction to the foetal circulation, induced by torsion 

 of the umbilical cord, may act in producing it, or imperfection in 

 function of the heart or liver of the foetus ; the death of the foetus, de- 

 formities, monstrosities, twin pregnancies, ascites, and other causes 

 have been enumerated as concomitant or exciting causes. But until 

 we know how the amniotic and allantoic fluids are formed, and what 

 their normal quantity is, it is not probable much progress will be made 

 in elucidating the etiology of this pathological condition. 



Treatment. — The chief indication is to evacuate at least a portion of 

 the fluid, by rupturing the membranes, as medical treatment has always 

 proved inefficacious. It must be remembered that the foetus is always 

 dead ; and even if alive, with the view of saving the life of the mother, 

 it should be sacrificed. Though opening the amniotic sac, and removing 

 a certain quantity of the liquor, need not necessarily compromise the 

 existence of the foetus ; as a case has been published by Lhomme^ 

 in which a portion of the foetal membranes, protruding beyond the 

 vulva, was excised without interfering with the ordinary progress of 

 gestation ; for when parturition occurred three months afterwards, a 

 well-formed Mule was born and continued to live. 



The chances of success are greater as intervention takes place early, 

 and before the abdomen is excessively distended, the respiration not 

 seriously affected, and debility not great. 



' Journal de Vtttririairt du Midi, 1869. 



