282 BYSTOKIA. 



the hand into the genital passages. It is rare indeed that the ob- 

 stetrist is required to attend upon the healthy Sow, this animal 

 appearing to be almost exempt from difficulties in parturition. In 

 cases of rachitism, however, there is sometimes so much deformity of 

 the pelvis, that aid is required. Notwithstanding the narrowness of 

 the passages, the hand or fingers may be passed into them. 



Cases of dystokia ai'e not infrequent in the Bitch, and particularly 

 if it is of small size, or belongs to a breed with a large round head and 

 short nose. Numbers of Bitches perish every year from non-delivery 

 of their Puppies ; these latter may also succumb before the decease of 

 their parent, as it often happens that the death of one entails destruc- 

 tion on the others. Cats are sometimes subjects of difficult parturition, 

 and from the same causes as Bitches. 



A very great disadvantage under which the veterinary obstetrist 

 labours in cases of dystokia, is the late period at which his services are 

 generally called into request, and often after serious, and even irre- 

 parable, injury has been done by unskilful hands ; and this in instances 

 in which a little scientific manipulation and some surgical knowledge 

 would have, perhaps, made all right and safe in a few minutes. Saint- 

 Cyr justly says, in commenting on some remarks made with regard to 

 the services a veterinary surgeon may render in difficult partmntion, 

 that these can be beneficial only on the absolute condition that he is 

 present in good time. Called upon too late, when the " waters " have 

 escaped for a long period, and the neighbouring empiric has exhausted 

 his science, aggravated a bad presentation, irritated the generative 

 organs by manipulations, tractions, and violent means ; then all the 

 ability of the most experienced practitioner may be useless. He will 

 find the passages dry, burning, swollen by inflammation, the fcetus 

 more or less advanced into the pelvic cavity, where it is, it may be said, 

 "wedged," or like a nail driven into wood ; with the uterus spasmodi- 

 cally contracted on itself, and so closely applied to the body of the 

 foetus that it is almost impossible to pass the hand between them. 

 How is it possible to manipulate in such a place — how change the 

 vicious position of a foetus which the greatest efforts cannot make 

 advance or retire ? How can a sharp instrument be carried into the 

 uterine cavity and used with safety, when the hand alone can scarcely 

 be made to enter it ? 



It is in these circumstances that a practical knowledge of obstetricy 

 is most valuable, and renders he who possesses it a very great acquisi- 

 tion to an agricultural or pastoral district. And this knowledge may 

 be said to be special ; for obstetricy is not like the other branches of 

 veterinary surgery, in forming a portion of every veterinarian's practice. 

 On the contrary, it is rarely practised in towns or cities, but is almost 

 exclusively limited to animal-rearing localities ; there alone is to be 

 found the school in which the practitioner may be initiated into all the 

 difficulties of this complex art, and the best and readiest means of sur- 

 mounting them. And it must be confessed that the practice of this art 

 is not particularly alluring, and is attended with many more incon- 

 veniences, hardships, and difficulties than fall to the lot of the human 

 obstetrist : indeed, we know of no more arduous and anxious occupa- 

 tion than that of the country practitioner in a cattle-breeding district, 

 and he requires physical endowments which are certainly not needed 

 by the attendant on woman. 



Veterinary accouchments are generally difficult and perplexing, as 



