238 NOIIMAL PARTURITION. 



the parent, there is nothing to be feared from haemorrhage from either 

 the foetal or placental end ; for, contrary to what is observed in the 

 human species, the blood has very little tendency to flow from the 

 umbilical vessels, and the laceration and cold soon check any slight 

 escape. But it may sometimes happen that it is necessary to divide 

 the cord at a short distance from the umbilicus, and this is usually 

 effected either by scraping, torsion, or cutting directly through it by 

 the bistoury or scissors. Even then there is little to apprehend from 

 bleeding. Eainard, in thirty years' experience, and other authorities, 

 has never observed any harm to result ; and the cases in which there 

 was danger are certainly very few. Eainard quotes from Brugnone, 

 that Beranger of Carpi has seen Horse and Ass Foals perish from 

 haemorrhage, through the cord having been cut and no ligature applied; 

 and Peuch has witnessed a case of umbilical haemorrhage in a new-born 

 Calf from which, notwithstanding a thread tied round the cord, the 

 blood escaped in drops ; another ligature placed above the other did not 

 check this escape, and it was necessary to fix a compress, steeped in 

 perchloride of iron, along the course of the cord before the haemorrhage 

 could be checked. It must be borne in mind that similar accidents are 

 possible, if a ligature is not applied an inch or so from the umbilicus. 

 Whether it be tied or not, the portion remaining attached to the 

 umbilicus soon becomes dry and withered, and falls off in a few days 

 after birth ; the other end most frequently hanging to the foetal mem- 

 branes, which immediately after parturition protrude from the vagina. 



4. Expulsion of the Membranes. — The expulsion of the foetal mem- 

 branes, or " afterbirth," as they are sometimes designated, may occur 

 at birth, immediately after, or be delayed for a variable period — this 

 depending not only upon accidental circumstances and individual 

 peculiarities, but also upon species, and, consequently, the placental 

 connections. 



Immediately after the foetus is expelled, the uterus contracts and 

 retracts energetically on itself, and its internal capacity rapidly 

 diminishes ; consequently, the placental villosities are detached from 

 their alveoli, the uterine and chorionic surfaces become wider apart, 

 and the placenta is ultimately separated from the uterus. The same 

 contractions which loosened them are also instrumental in forcing the 

 membranes through the gaping flaccid os into the vagina; and the 

 auxiliary muscles, being again stimulated by their presence here, as 

 they were by the head of the foetus in the same passage, add their 

 powerful contractions ; so that these new pains, aided by the physical 

 weight of the extruded portion with its appended umbilical cord, soon 

 bring the whole mass away. The contractions of the vagina have 

 probably little, if anything, to do with this expulsion, which is rarely 

 followed by haemorrhage in animals ; though in woman, owing to the 

 inertia of the uterus, this accident is not at all uncommon. Sometimes 

 the expulsion of the membranes is expedited by the young creature as 

 it descends from the vulva. 



With the Mare, owing to the disseminated placenta and the slight 

 adherence of the placental villi, the separation of the membranes takes 

 place rapidly ; indeed, the Foal is not infrequently born in the intact 

 envelopes. But generally only a few minutes elapse before the after- 

 birth is detached. Eetention of the placenta is therefore exceedingly 

 rare in the Mare, though it is very dangerous ; as in attempting to 

 remove it there is great risk of hajmorrhage. 



