202 PATHOLOGY OF PREGXANCY. 



The foetus may also be retained in the vagina long after being passed 

 from the uterus, the os of which is closed ; but then it is of very small 

 size, and does not appear to cause serious inconvenience. 



Causes. — Various causes have been assigned for the retention of the 

 foetus, several of which are no doubt quite sufficient to offer an obstacle 

 to normal parturition. Among these causes may be cited : a diminution 

 or loss of contractile power in the uterus itself to expel its contents, and 

 the absence of assistance when attempts are made ; adhesions of an un- 

 usual character between the uterus and placenta ; malposition of the 

 foetus ; displacement of the uterus ; deformed pelvis ; fibrous induration 

 or spasmodic contraction of the cervix uteri ; torsion of the uterus, or 

 adhesion of its ligaments, etc. 



Tbeatment. — The treatment of foetal retention must greatly depend 

 upon circumstances. When the owner of an animal that has reached 

 the termination of pregnancy and begins to be in labour perceives that 

 the straining is weak and irregular, and not sustained, so that birth 

 does not take place after twenty-four, thirty-six, or forty-eight hours, 

 and even when the symptoms of colic are slight and the condition of 

 the creature otherwise satisfactory, the attendance of the veterinary 

 surgeon should not be delayed. The latter will inform himself as to the 

 history of the case, and also its present condition by careful external 

 examination and internal exploration. By the latter he will ascertain, 

 in all probability, the character of the obstacle to parturition, and be in 

 a position to decide whether delay is necessary, or if he is to promote 

 immediate delivery. In some instances it will be difficult to arrive at 

 a decision. Some practitioners of note recommend abstention from 

 interference and the adoption of expectant treatment, so long as the os 

 is not sufficiently dilated or the foetal membranes are not ruptured ; 

 and they insist on this course even when there is a material obstacle 

 present — such as torsion of the uterus or degeneration of the cervix — 

 which renders spontaneous or natural delivery impossible. 



This treatment is based on the relative innocuousness of the foetus in 

 the uterus, even for a very long period, so long as the liquor amnii has 

 not escaped and the air has not penetrated. This course is no doubt 

 most judicious in some cases, and is followed by successful results. 

 All that has to be done is to keep the animal very quiet — in a darkened 

 place if possible — and to administer opium or chloral in full doses, both 

 in draught and enema if need be. 



But in the majority of cases, if not in all, it is preferable to resort 

 to active measures. The expectant method was all very well when 

 art found itself disarmed in the face of certain accidents, such as 

 torsion of the cervix, which rendered spontaneous delivery impossible ; 

 but it cannot be urgently insisted upon now, when we are in possession 

 of methods which enable us to overcome these accidents. Therefore, 

 as a rule, it is the duty of the obstetrist to terminate as soon as possible 

 the act of parturition, when it has once commenced. In compliance with 

 this advice, the veterinarian, after informing himself as to the nature of 

 the obstacle opposed to delivery, should act according to the rules appli- 

 cable to each particular case, rules which will be alluded to hereafter. 



When the membranes are ruptured, then delay may be out of the 

 question, and intervention might require to be prompt, if serious conse- 

 quences are to be averted. Attempts to effect speedy delivery should 



