XECfSS.inr AH) IX X>>J;MAL rAltTCHITloX. 257 



for the expulsion of the latter. The labour-pains should be normal, 

 and the act should neither be hurried nor abrupt, nor yet too slow ; and 

 the mother should not exhibit any constitutional weakness or physical 

 debihty. In addition, the foetus should be normal, as well as its mem- 

 branes ; and the genital passages of the motlier ought to be in a 

 properly formed and healthy condition. The foetus should be alive and 

 natural in form and size, particularly with regard to the volume of the 

 head and thorax ; and it ought to be in such a position that it can be 

 expelled without assistance. The fojtal envelopes should possess a 

 certain degree of tliickness and resistance, so that they may not rupture 

 too soon, nor yet resist the action of the uterus too long. The pelvis of 

 the mother should have a convenient shape and capacity ; the genital 

 passages soft and elastic ; the os, vagina, and vulva properly formed 

 and extensible ; and the other pelvic organs in a normal state. 



If the act of parturition is not sufficiently advanced, and the soft 

 parts through which the foetus has to pass are not enough dilated, time 

 ought to be allowed for this to take place. As a rule, there should be no 

 hurry to interfere with the progress of the case, as a somewhat long 

 period is often required for preparation ; and if this is accelerated by 

 the intervention of art, accidents are more likely to occur than if the 

 labour had been long and protracted. 



Vitulary or parturient collapse has been remarked as more connnon 

 in Cows which have calved quickly or abruptly ; and in such instances 

 it has also been noticed that the uterine contractions do not sufficiently 

 detach the fa^tal membranes. 



In parturition, there is as much wisdom shown in remaining a spec- 

 tator sometimes, as in interfering at other times when circumstances 

 require it. It is only when obstacles, insurmountable by the natural 

 efforts of the animal, offer themselves that aid nmst be rendered. So 

 long as the course of parturition remains normal, nothing should be 

 done, under ordinary circumstances. 



With the Mare, however, delay should not be pushed too far, as the 

 fcetal placenta is very easily detached from the uterine surface, and the 

 fa'tus may perish of asphyxia or inanition. 



The intelligent owner of, or attendant on, an animal which is about 

 to bring fortli, should be able to ascertain the position of the fcetus, and 

 decide as to whether parturition may terminate in a natural manner, 

 or if the existing obstacles are easy to overcome. If they are not, he 

 certainly should not venture to attempt delivering the animal himself, 

 or to pull about the mother or fcetus ; as this may only tend to aggra- 

 vate the accident, and render relief more diilicult. The veterinary 

 surgeon should be sent for, as his knowledge and practised manipula- 

 tive skill will, in the majority of cases, bring the most comphcated 

 labour to a prompt and happy termination — preserving the mother, and 

 often the progeny. 



This appeal to the veterinarian is not always made, however, until 

 great damage has been done by the owner, his servants and neighbours, 

 or the empiric, and the loss of valuable time caused ; then he is sent 

 for, but now the case may be one of extreme difficulty or hopelessness, 

 from exhaustion or injury. 



We shall only notice in this place what has been designated abrupt, 

 tumultuous, disordered, or false labour {partus pracipitatus), and pro- 

 tracted labour, both due to anomalies in the expelling forces. 



1. Tumultuous Labour. — In this kind of labour the act of parturition 



17 



