DISEASES ISClDKyTJL T<> rnEnX.i.MY, 187 



The evacuation should be etTected through the vagina, though it has 

 been made through a puncture in the flank. If the fatal membranes 

 are in the vagina, they may be ruptured by the fingers there; if not, and 

 the OS is sufficiently dilated for the admission of the hand, they may be 

 ruptured in the uterus ; if it is closed it should be gently dilated, and 

 the envelopes punctured, if necessary, by means of a trocar and canuula. 

 As soon as the membranes are pierced, a gush of Huid takes place, the 

 abdomen diminishes in volume, the uterus becomes retracted, and in this 

 retraction the fct'tus and membranes are sometimes expelled. Sliould this 

 expulsion not take place soon, they must be removed in the ordinary way. 

 Afterwards, the animal is to be carefully attended to and generously fed. 



Paraplegia. 



What has been termed paralysis of the posterior extremities is not 

 rare in the Cow during gestation, especially when near parturition, and 

 often even when that act has commenced. Antc-partum paresis would 

 perhaps be .a better designation, as in the great majority of cases the 

 debility which compels the animal to remain in a recumbent position, 

 is merely the efi'ect of pregnancy and the increased weight the creature 

 is called upon to support. It has also been witnessed in the Sheep and 

 Goat, and, though very rarely, in tlie Mare. (Generally, however, it 

 appears six, eight, ten, or twenty days, rarely a month or two, previous 

 to parturition, and attacks animals in the most diverse hygienic con- 

 ditions — those which are well fed and tended, as well as those 

 which receive the opposite treatment. It is not rare to observe in 

 a cow-shed, two or three cases occurring a short distance from each 

 other, and even in a locality we may, in certain years, meet witli a 

 number of cases ; then several consecutive years may elapse without 

 any being noted, though it would be a manifest exaggeration to say that 

 it was eitlier an epizootic or enzootic malady. It must not be con- 

 founded with what has been termed " parturient fever," or " parturient 

 apoplexy," in which we have paralysis, but from wliich it differs greatly, 

 as the sympton)s and results will show. 



The paralysis of gestation generally appears suddenly and without 

 any premonitory symptoms, manifesting itself with tiic same intensity 

 at the outset as at a later period ; though in rare cases the animal 

 shows a weakness and unsteadiness of the posterior part of the body 

 and hind limbs for a short time before it drops, and the end of the tail 

 is said to be remarkably flaccid. When paralysis has really set in, the 

 Cow is forced to lie, but it does not appear to suffer ; the position is 

 natural, the head carried as usual, the eye bright and clear, the muffle 

 damp and cool, and rumination in the majority of instances is not 

 suspended ; the pulse, res])iration, and appetite are unaltered, and 

 sensation does not seem to be impaired, even in the hind limbs — it may 

 be exalted. Constipation is frequently present. It is only when the 

 animal attempts to rise that its condition is evident , the fore limbs 

 and neck can be moved to accomplish this, but the hinder extremities 

 are powerless, or can only be raised to a slight extent ; though with 

 help it may be lifted up and can then stand, but unsteadily. 



Ordinarily, the paralysis persists until parturition, when it disappears ; 

 though Saint-Cyr mentions an instance in which a Cow became para- 

 lysed twenty-eight days before that event, and lay on the litter for two 

 days after calving, without being able to move its hind extremities ; 

 but it arose spontaneously on the third day, and did well. The same 



