258 XOIUIAL PAETUPJIIOX. 



is irregular and precipitate ; and though the pains are excessive and 

 frequent, yet no progress appears to be made, the parts not being pre- 

 pared, while the cervix is often in a state of spasmodic contraction, 

 rigid, and painful. Otherwise the maternal organs may be well formed, 

 the passage roomy enough, and the foetus in a good position. 



Sometimes the uterus itself is in a state of contraction, the con- 

 tractions assuming the opposite direction of those occurring in healthy 

 labour, — commencing at the cervix, they pass towards the fundus of 

 the uterus. 



This condition, in which the phenomena are at first alarming, is 

 most frequently observed in young, well-fed, vigorous, irritable animals, 

 and especially primiparae, which are excited and troubled at the first 

 pains, and give themselves up to violent expulsive efforts that hinder 

 the natural course of parturition. 



In the majority of cases, amendment is ensured by diverting the 

 animal's attention, walking it about for a short time, wisping the 

 abdomen gently, and keeping it in a quiet and dark place. If, how- 

 ever, the pains are violent, and the agitation great and persistent, 

 other measures must be resorted to. Some authorities recommend 

 bleeding, but this should, if possible, be dispensed w^th. Blankets 

 steeped in hot \vater should be applied to the loins and abdomen, 

 warm enemas administered, and, if deemed necessary, chloroform, 

 ether, opium, or chloral given in draught or in enema — the latter being 

 generally preferable. Not infrequently good results are produced by 

 injecting tepid water into the vagina, and raising the animal's hind 

 quarters ; and at other times, when the cervix is in a state of spasm, 

 relief is soon obtained by applying a little extract of belladonna to it. 

 With small animals, a few drops of laudanum, either in draught or 

 enema, and a warm bath, are usually sufficient. 



Quiet, soothing, and simple treatment will generally bring about a 

 normal state of affairs ; the agitation and irregular straining subside, 

 and easy parturition occurs in six, twelve, or twenty-four hours. 



2. Protracted Labour. — Pi'otracted labour, due solely to the inability 

 of the uterus to expel its contents, or to pathological weakness of the 

 expelling forces, is rare, except in those cases in which exhaustion 

 results from violent and long-continued attempts to overcome some 

 material obstacle to birth. Then, most commonly, the membranes 

 have ruptured, the waters have entirely escaped, and the uterus, in a 

 state of general tonic contraction — tetanus uteri — is closely applied to 

 the foetus, but makes no effort to expel it. This usually, if not 

 always, happens when the foetus is dead. But primary inertia, due 

 to constitutional weakness, and in the absence of any material obstacle 

 to the expulsion of the foetus, is not common. 



It is observed, nevertheless, in emaciated, puny, and frequently old 

 animals, w^hich are debilitated from lack of sufficient and good food, 

 prolonged lactation, overwork, or worn by chronic wasting diseases. 

 It may also be due to congenitally feeble development of the uterine 

 muscular fibres, and to diminished contractility of these by over-disten- 

 tion of the uterus during pregnancy, or by disease. 



The symptoms in the Mare and Cow are : comparatively shallow and 

 repeated inspirations, feeble and unfrequent straining, weak pulse, 

 restlessness and symptoms of suffering, extremely slow progress in 

 birth, — parturition in the Cow being extended to twenty-four, and even 

 forty-eight hours, though the foetus may be in a good position, of ordi- 



