212 PATHOLOGY OF PREGNANCY. 



and filled with blood ; its cavity contains a certain quantity of blood- 

 coloured mucus, and often all the characteristic indications of placental 

 retention and decomposition ; its mucous membrane is red and thick- 

 ened, and there may be traces of inflammation in it and the cotyledons, 

 as well as evidence of the cause which produced the accident, if due to 

 injury. 



The appearance of the foetus varies also, according to the period 

 at which it is expelled, the cause or causes which led to its expulsion 

 or death, as well as the period of its decease. At p. 116 we have 

 enumerated everything known that is likely to lead to a knowledge of 

 its age. Whether it is expelled, or is found in the uterus on examining 

 the carcase of an animal that has died or been destroyed, the body of 

 the foetus may be in a more or less perfect state of preservation. If it 

 has perished recently, it is little if at all altered ; its skin is firm, white, 

 elastic, and even ; the mucous membranes are pale ; and its flesh white, 

 rather soft or firm, and odourless. But when death has taken place 

 some days previously, and the air has had access to the uterine cavity, 

 then there are indications of putrefaction — all the more marked as the 

 interval is prolonged since death occurred. The foetus is swollen, 

 infiltrated, and emphysematous, and exhales a putrescent odour, while 

 the hairs, and even the hoofs, are easily removed. "When the air has 

 not entered the uterus, the foetus may present a withered, wrinkled and 

 mummified appearance. If abortion has been due to hydramnois, then 

 the foetus is sodden and wasted. 



The foetal envelopes have been found, in some instances, intensely 

 congested, and the fluids reddish tinted; in others the latter were turbid, 

 whitish, and not so fluid as usual ; while in others, again, the envelopes 

 were softened, fragile, and colourless. 



Saint-Cyr draws attention to a fact which we have referred to on 

 several occasions, but which is worth alluding to again. It is that, as 

 a general rule, the death of a foetus brings about its expulsion in a short 

 time ; and not its own expulsion alone, but also, in multiparous animals, 

 that of all the uterus may contain. This rule, however, is far from 

 being absolute. We have already seen that a dead foetus may be 

 retained for a very long time ; and at the autopsy of such multiparous 

 creatures as the Bitch, Cat, and Sow, which have died or been killed 

 while pregnant, it is not rare to find, between two perfectly healthy and 

 well-developed foetuses, one which has been arrested in its growth, and 

 has evidently been dead for a long time, and yet its presence has occa- 

 sioned no disturbance. Besides, Bitches and Sows, and even the 

 uniparous Mare and Cow, at the usual period of parturition will bring 

 forth, along with well-developed and living young, one or more dead 

 foetuses whose general appearance testifies that they had ceased to live 

 for a long time. These facts prove that the diseased condition, or even 

 the death, of one or more of the foetuses in an animal does not always 

 prevent gestation from following its regular course. 



Diagnosis. — The diagnosis of abortion, easy in some cases, is in 

 others difficult and complicated ; and as an error in distinguishing this 

 accident may result in serious consequences to the veterinary obstetrist, 

 no less than to the animals confided to his care, as Saint-Cyr properly 

 remarks, it is well that it should receive attention. This excellent 

 authority judiciously presents the problem in three difi'erent aspects : 

 1, Prognosticate a possible, but not yet imminent abortion ; 2. Distin- 



