XECEss.UiV A III i.\ .\i>i:Mji, r.urri i:iTwx. 2r.9 



nary size, and the passaj;e clear. If the hand is introduced hito the 

 va-^ina, it will he discovered that the uterine contractions are weak. 



There is no ur^'ent dan<;er to the mother in this condition ; though 

 the life of the fcitus is often imperilled, as the placenta may he de- 

 tached more or less from the uterus, und this may lead to fatal 

 consequences. 



An examination is of course necessary, in order to ascertain whether 

 there is any ohstacle to parturition. Should such not be found, then 

 stimulants may be given ; such ecbolics as rue, satt'ron, savine, and 

 particularly ergot of rye, have been recommended by various writers. 

 These may be useful, but it will generally be found that active inter- 

 vention is preferable, and more especially as there is little, if anything, 

 to prevent the fcitus being easily reached ; for should the os be in- 

 sutliciently dilated, it may readily be made wide enough for the hand 

 to pass into the uterus. Moderate and judicious traction on the 

 parts which present, when the mother makes expulsive efforts, will 

 bring the futus into the pelvic cavity and through the vulva. 



De.\th of the FtETUs. — When parturition is retarded, it is often a 

 question whetlier the foetus is dead or alive, and to answer it correctly 

 is sometimes dilVicult. Auscultation in the larger animals cannot, as 

 it may in the human species, furnish any certain evidence in this re- 

 spect. The fcDtor of the liquor amnii has been held to prove the death 

 of the fcctus ; but though it is a good sign, yet it is not infallible. 

 When decomposition has, however, well advanced, and the foetus is 

 emphysematous and its hair easily removed, then there can be no 

 doubt as to its being dead. The coldness of the parts external to the 

 vulva of the mother, when well marked, is also a si.i;n of death. Of 

 course, so long as the foetus displays active movements, it is alive : 

 but tlie absence of these is not an absolute proof that it no longer 

 lives ; for sometimes when it is partly in the pelvis and the waters 

 have escaped, so that the uterus encloses it firmly, though still living 

 it remains passive, and cannot be stimulated to movement. Should 

 the presentation be anterior, then passing the fingers into its mouth 

 and titillating the tongue will prove a test of its vitality, as the jaws 

 and tongue are almost certain to move if it lives ; but the absence 

 of movement will not be decisive, though it will constitute very probable 

 evidence of death. If the umbilical cord can be reached and seized 

 between the thumb and index finger, slight compression will discover 

 whether or not the arteries pulsate. The absence of pulsation afTords 

 a strong, but not in every case a sure, presumption that the fcctus is 

 dead. 



Gelle, many years ago, gave an empirical test which, he asserted, 

 was constantly successful; though it is ditVicult to say why it should 

 be. This method consists in passing a blanket or sheet under the belly 

 ut the Cow, and lifting it up by assistants at each side. If the fcetus 

 is not dead, the Cow exhibits dislike of the pressure ; but if dead, then 

 it rests on the sheet. 



Another authority states that, with the Mare, the expulsive efforts 

 cease for the time being as soon as the Foal is dead, and if it has not 

 entered the pelvic inlet ; if it has passed into this, the pains continue as 

 usual. 



In the Cow the fcetus may be alive though the labour-pains have 

 ceased for some hours, or only occur at long intervals. With the 



