Mnlilllli ALTEnATIoXS IX THE HKXKHATII'H nRtiJXS. 345 



recorded by veterinarians in this and other countries, and some of these 

 are very interesting. 



With regard to parturition, these tumours may be considered in a 

 general mamier according to their (I) Scat ; (2) Mode of attachment ; 

 and (3) Consistence. 



1. Seat. — Tlie situation of genital tumours — whether in the vagina, 

 on the cervix uteri, in the os uteri, body of the uterus, or cornua — will 

 make a very great difference in the act of parturition. 



Those tumours which are developed in the uterine cornua may, by 

 altering the structure of the walls of the uterus, hinder the amplilica- 

 tion of the organ, impair the nutrition of the foetus, and even cause it 

 to be expelled prematurely. If, however, they do not interfere with 

 the regular course of gestation, birth may take place in a natural 

 manner and without interruption. If the foetus is situated behind the 

 tumour, towards the body of the uterus, of course it meets with no 

 obstruction in its passage outwards ; and if it should happen that 

 labour is longer and more dillicult than usual, this can only be attri- 

 buted to the alteration the pathological production has effected in the 

 muscular structure of the uterus, and which may produce a diminution 

 in its contractile or expelling power. 



When, however, the tumour is between the ftotus and the genital 

 passages, the case is much more serious. If it is fixed directly on the 

 cen'ix, it may prevent dilatation of the os to the necessary extent, or 

 perhaps altogether. W^hen it is situated in front of the cervix, towards 

 the body of the uterus, but in the immediate vicinity of the former, 

 and is movable to a certain degree, it may be carried into the dilated 

 o-^, occupy it to a greater or less extent, and render the exit of the 

 1 tus impossible, unless the tumour is moved out of the way. If the 

 lumour occupies the vagina, it will prove a more or less formidable 

 obstacle, according as it is large or small, hard or soft, and consequently 

 diminishes the lumen of this outlet for the fa'tus. 



2. Mode of Attachment . — The manner in which tlie tumours are 

 attached to the membranes from which they arise, has some influence 

 on their action as obstacles to birth. They have either a wide base of 

 attachment, or they are sessile or pediculated. 



Those tumours which have a very wide base are generally of a malig- 

 nant character ; and though they may prove very serious, so far as the 

 female is concerned, yet they do not often prove a cause of dillicult 

 parturition, provided they are not situated in the vagina or on the 

 cervix. Animals so affected do not generally breed, though they may 

 regularly exhibit a'Strum ; if, however, they should ciiance to conceive, 

 and pregnancy has terminated, with these exceptions parturition may 

 not be delayed in its course. 



The circumscribed sessile tumours are generally more serious than 

 those which are pediculated ; as the latter may be more or less 

 easily displaced when they are in the way, and delivery rendered as 

 easy as usual. Or if the pediculated tumours cannot be temporarily 

 removed from the path of the fcetus, they may easily be altogether 

 got rid of by a simple operation, particularly if their base is very 

 attenuated. 



3. Consistence. — The hardness or softness of the tumours has an 

 important bearing on their obstructiveness. Such tumours as the 

 fibroids are so dense and inelastic, that the strongest compression will 

 -oarcely diminish their volume or alter their shape,;i^vl^le othe^Sc:- 



/9^^ OF -h; ■ r \ 



i UNIVEr.3ITY ) 



