I'AJiT SI-COXJ). 

 DYSTOKIA. 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



In studyiiij^ the physiology of parturition, we saw that a favourahle 

 termination of hxhour clepended on two factors, one of which was a 

 proper degree of activity of the expelhng powers, and the other a 

 normal condition of the obstacles to be overcome by these powers. 

 When tliese are out of proportion to each other, then we have dilVicult 

 parturition, or Dystoki.v (oi's, difficult ; tokos, birth). Diflicult par- 

 turition may be due to too feeble pains, or to an obstacle which the 

 unaided efforts of the animal cannot surmount except after an unusual 

 period of labour, or not at all. 



We have already alluded to the nature of and variations in the 

 expelling forces, and also to the causes of protracted labour. We have 

 now to treat of the ditliculties attending parturition, with their con- 

 sequences — proximate or remote, and the means to be adopted for 

 overcoming, preventing, or remedying these. This involves a study of 

 the necessary obstetrical operations, the accidents attending or follow- 

 ing parturition, and the diseased conditions more or less related to the 

 puerperal state — all of which may be included under the head of 

 " pathology of parturition." 



The dilliculties attending parturition depend upon the resistance 

 opposed to tlie expelling powers, and this is determined by the relation 

 of the object to be expelled — the presenting part of the foetus, to the 

 maternal genital passages. Consequently, an exaggerated resistance 

 may be due to abnormal conditions of the parturient passages, or to 

 some unnatural condition of the young animal. In the first we have 

 MatcriKil Dystokia, and in the second Fcital Dijslohia. These necessitate 

 particular operations, some of which demand much study, address, and 

 manipulative power on the part of the obstetrist. In addition, we have 

 dangerous accidents sometimes occurring during parturition, which, if 

 they do not happen to interfere with the mechanism of that act, may 

 nevertheless recjuire the highest degree of surgical skill to remedy. 

 And, linally, there are the maladies which accompany the parturient 

 state, some of them being serious, and needing great clinical and 

 therapeutical knowledge for their successful treatment. 



These dilliculties, accidents, and diseases do not occur with the same 

 gravity, nor with the same frequency, in all the domesticated animals ; 

 indeed, with regard to the latter, some species appear to be altogether 

 exempt from at least one or more of them. 



Cases of dystokia are much more frequent in the Bovine species than 

 in any other ;' and least so, perhaps, in the Equine species. These two 



' The Camel — and particul.irly the Bactrlan varii'ty which i.s characteristic of Mongolia 

 — apjifars generally to re<iiiire aiiiiiatance during parturition. At least we may infer this 

 from the statement of Colonel Prejevalsky, who, in speaking of the Mon;;olian Camel, 

 says : — "The males Injcome vicious during the rutting season, which is in February, and 

 they will then fight with one another, and sometimes attack mankind. The interference 

 of man is needed to bring the sexes together. The period of gestation is thirteen months, 

 at the expiration of which the dam gi%e3 birth to one, or, as an exception, to two P'oals. 



