346 MATERXAL DYSTOKIA. 



such as the condylomata or papillomata — readily change their form 

 and dimensions when submitted to pressure. 



We will allude to each of these morbid productions more fully 

 hereafter. 



Diagnosis. 



The diagnosis of these tumours is not always so easy in the domesti- 

 cated animals as in woman. In the latter, the surgeon may sometimes 

 have to discover the existence and determine the nature of such growths 

 during pregnancy ; and he may, consequently, be prepared beforehand 

 to overcome the difficulties which will present themselves at a later 

 period. But w^ith the veterinary obstetrist's patients this is not so ; and 

 it is only and always during parturition, in the midst of the trouble 

 which inevitably accompanies a difficult birth, that he is called upon to 

 give an opinion. 



But as some compensation for this disadvantage, in animals direct 

 exploration is easier than in w^oman ; while the entire hand can be 

 introduced into the genital passages of the larger creatures with facility, 

 and every part be explored ; so that if the period is late for acquiring in- 

 formation with regard to the existence of tumours, yet these facilities 

 enable the obstetrist to obtain most valuable notions with regard to 

 diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. 



But this exploration should be complete and intelligent ; as errors in 

 diagnosis are easily committed, and may lead to serious consequences. 

 Here the hand, not the eye, must be the guide, and just as the sense of 

 touch is well developed in it, so it will all the more readily distinguish 

 between a tumour, the " water-bag," or some part of the fcetus which 

 is covered by or denuded of its membranes ; as well as discover the 

 exact seat, volume, consistence, and mode of attachment, besides some- 

 thing of the nature, of such pathological productions as are now being 

 considered. 



Treatment. 



The indications for the treatment of these obstacles to birth will, of 

 course, depend upon a variety of circumstances, the majority of which 

 have been referred to. Sometimes we may be able to act directly on 

 the tumour, and remove it ; in other cases, from its situation and nature, 

 it may be beyond the reach of direct action. 



When in the vagina and not far from the vulva, and particularly 

 when pediculated, it is occasionally extruded as the foetus is expelled 

 from the uterus, and may then be readily seized by the hand or forceps, 

 and taken out of the way. In such a case the tumour may be either 

 drawn outside the vulva, pushed to one side so as to clear the passage, 

 or extirpated. 



If it is situated beyond the os, and is sufficiently movable, it may be 

 pushed in front of the pelvic inlet, and the parts of the foetus which 

 present be immediately brought therein so that the tumour may be kept 

 out of the track of the latter. 



Should the growth be of the nature of a cyst or abscess, merely 

 puncturing it by means of a bistoury, scalpel, or trocar, will evacuate 

 its fluid contents, when it will collapse and birth be rendered possible. 



When it is a pediculated tumour like a polypus, it may be got rid of 

 at once by extirpation, if the pedicle is easily accessible. To this end 

 the pedicle may be simply cut through; but this measure, though the 



