196 PATHOLOGY OF PREGNANCY. 



4. Posterior portion of the body of a Guinea-pig, which shows the right cornu of the- 

 iiterus detached, and cicatrised where separation has occurred. This cornu, whicli was 

 half free, was tilled with fluid blood ; the distension caused by the blood has been so 

 great that the cornu is ruptured in the middle, and the fcEtus must have died from 

 hajmorrhage. 



Other examples of a similar kind have also been recorded. 



Causes. — Thinning of the uterine walls, hydramnios, and distention 

 by the gas evolved from a putrefying foetus, have been said to predispose 

 to longitudinal rupture, as well as contusions of different kinds to the 

 exterior of the abdomen : the latter may cause immediate rupture, or 

 this may only occur after the lapse of days or weeks. Energetic con- 

 tractions of the muscular tunic may also lead to this result. Transverse 

 rupture, Saint-Cyr presumes, is a consequence of torsion of the uterus 

 on itself, or at a limited point where the circulation is interrupted. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of rupture of the uterus are not well 

 defined. If the accident is due to external violence, the signs will be in 

 accordance with its severity, and the more serious indications may 

 appear very soon after the contusion, or not for a considerable time. 

 After showing symptoms of colic for a short time, the animal appears to 

 be quite well until parturition is due, when after manifesting signs of 

 that act the straining ceases, and those of peritonitis commence — 

 hurried, short and plaintive respiration, quickened pulse, inappetence 

 and suspension of rumination, insensibility to surroundings, coldness of 

 body, looking round to the sides, etc. Examination of the abdomen 

 will detect the presence of fluid in its lower third ; while vaginal 

 exploration may reveal an empty uterus, or only a portion of the foetus 

 in it — the rupture itself may be discovered. Or if the rupture has only 

 ensued when parturition is advanced, the foetus may be expelled in the 

 usual way, and the symptoms of rupture only recognised when the birth 

 has been accomplished. 



Similar symptoms are observed when transverse rupture of the uterus 

 has taken place, except that, owing to the twisting or torsion of the 

 uterus, the hand cannot explore its cavity ; the vaginal walls, however, 

 are found very relaxed, and the uterine cervix extremely movable in 

 every direction. If the animal survives, the straining soon passes ofl", 

 the external genitals resume their ordinary appearance, and every 

 indication of pregnancy disappears except the enlarged abdomen, on the 

 floor of which the foetus lies, and there it may become mummified, or 

 in the course of time be eliminated by an ulcerative process set up in 

 the abdominal walls ; or it may even live and grow for some time after 

 leaving the uterus, but unless removed artificially it must die. The 

 mother may thrive, especially if the foetus does not cause any incon- 

 venience or is expelled in some way ; and if only one uterine cornu 

 was involved in the rupture, she may again become pregnant. 



Tkeatment. — But little can be said as to this. Looking at the 

 serious nature of the accident, it must be a question whether, if preg- 

 nancy is about complete and the foetus is alive, it may not be advisable 

 to kill the mother and preserve the young one. On the chance of the 

 mother surviving, attempts might be made to treat the case as one of 

 peritonitis, and resort had to surgical interference if there are any out- 

 ward signs of abdominal abscess, for the elimination of the dead foetus. 

 With regard to the smaller animals, gastro-hysterotomy might be 

 practised with some chance of success in favourable cases. 



