DYSTOKIA FROM PELVIC CONSTRICTION. 29r. 



tion of the cervix uteri by the hand; puncture of the envelopes; and 

 caginal irriijations. 



Dujital Irritation of the Cervix Uteri. — Tliis is accomplished in the 

 following manner : The hand is introduced into the vagina, and first 

 one finger, then two are insinuated into the os by a semi rotatory 

 movement, and finally the whole hand is inserted, as the part dilates. 

 If the operation is repeated several times, labour pains soon ensue. As 

 the manual exertion is rather fatiguing, the sponge tent, elastic bags, 

 or other dilators of the os uteri may be employed. A better and more 

 successful mode is the introduction of a long elastic catheter, strong 

 pieces of catgut, or even a quill, between the fcctal membranes and the 

 uterus. Labour may be promoted by passing the hand through the 

 OS, and separating the membranes from the uterus. 



This procedure is to be recommended for Mares, the uterus of which 

 is so irritable that abortion sometirnes takes place after manipulations 

 in the rectum for some time. In ordinary cases, the expulsion of the 

 foetus occurs in from six to twelve hours. It is not applicable to Cattle, 

 Harms having once manipulated a Cow in this manner for a whole 

 night without producing any result ; neither is it to be recommended 

 for smaller animals. 



Puncture of the FuHal Envelopes. — The envelopes are punctured by 

 pushing a long, and more or less pointed, sound through the os uteri, 

 into the " water-bag"; the liquor amnii soon escapes, and the uterine 

 contractions begin. P^xpulsion of the fa-tus follows in from twelve to 

 forty-eight hours. This method is particularly etficacious with Cattle. 



Vaginal Irrigations. — Irrigation of the vagina with cold water (oi- 

 water at a temperature of about 90° Fahr.), made by means of a syringe 

 or injection-tube, and continued for a quarter of an hour every three 

 hours, will induce labour pains about the fourth injection, and effect 

 the expulsion of the foetus towards the second, third, or fourth day. 

 This method is more particularly adapted for the smaller animals ; 

 though it will also succeed with the larger. The only danger to be 

 apprehended from it is an attack of metro-peritonitis. 



2. Forcible Extraction. — The first impulse which presents itself 

 when the foetus meets with any obstacle to its passage through the 

 pelvis, is to " force it through "; and it is this impulse which is carried 

 into execution by unscientific people. Too frequently, however, it 

 happens that by this procedure some portion of the foetus is so tightly 

 wedged in the pelvis that no amount of force is capable of moving it 

 farther, and renders absolutely impossible those other operations whicli 

 might be the means of saving at least the mother or ofi'spring, or 

 perhaps both. For this reason it is, that the owner of an animal in 

 this condition should not himself, nor sutler others to, pull at the fatus. 

 or attempt any similar mancjcuvre, until the arrival of the veterinarian. 

 And the latter has a difVicult task before him in solving the problem as 

 to whether he ought to extract the foetus forcibly, or resort immediately 

 to the other measures prescribed. This will render a careful examina- 

 tion necessary, in order to ascertain the nature, seat, and degree of 

 constriction. 



The animal is making excessive, nay violent efforts, and the foetus 

 may be in a favourable position, but it does not advance through the 

 pelvis. The parent is restless and sighs deeply ; the flanks are 

 covered with perspiration, and sometimes, through sheer exhaustion, it 



