Mnnmi) ALTERATIOXS IX THE GENEKATIVK ORHAXS. 355 



rally and assume its ordinax-y appearance— constituting a case of " missed 

 birth. "1 



In other instances, the creature manifests an unusual amount of ex- 

 citement at first ; there is agitation, strainin-,', and symptoms of colicky 

 pains ; the abdomen is frequently looketl at by the aniinal, whicli lies 

 down but soon gets up again ; the pulse is full, strong, and frequent ; 

 the conjunctivie are injected ; the skin is hot ; fajces and urine are 

 passed at frecjuent intervals ; there is thirst and anorexia ; and some- 

 times durhig the throes the vagina is protruded beyond the vulva, and 

 appears as a large red mass. 



A vaginal exploration is necessary, in order to learn the cause of 

 obstruction. This should be carefully and gently made — the latter 

 precaution being most important to observe during the throes. It may 

 be necessary, if the mucous membrane is dry, to inject some emollient 

 fluid into the vagina, or introduce it by a sponge. 



When the hand is passed through the vagina, the os will be found 

 more or less contracted, so that scarcely one or two fingers can be in- 

 troduced into it, owing to the spasmodic resistance it offers, while the 

 cervix preserves its elongated shape. 



In the Cow, the cervix and vagina are frequently filled with a 

 tenacious gluey matter, which sticks to the fingers like bird-lime, and 

 by fixing together the margin and walls of the os doubtless increases 

 the resistance the canal offers to dilatation. 



If the finger can be introduced into the os, it will be found that there 

 is neither deformity nor morbid induration, and that the constriction is 

 due to the fibres of the cervix alone. 



It has been pointed out that, contrary to what is stated above, the 

 cervix uteri is sometimes completely effaced ; tiie bottom of the vagina 

 being occupied by a kind of smooth-surfaced ball, in the centre of which 

 is a narrow opening, and through which the fcetus can be felt. The 

 convex body is the posterior segment of the uterus which, pressed by 

 the head or some other part of the f(i.'tus, is pushed into the vagina ; 

 while the small aperture is the os — partially effaced and undilated. 

 This trace of the os, instead of being in the centre, is at times more or 

 less to one side, and occasionally it can only be found with much 

 difficulty. 



\Vhat seems to establish the spasmodic nature of the affection, is the 

 fact that in many cases, in the intervals of the " pains," the cervix feels 

 soft, and the os becomes dilated sulliciently to permit of the introduc- 

 tion of one or more fingers, or even of one or two limbs of the fcetus. 

 But the moment attempts are made to dilate it, the cervix again 

 becomes rigid, and this condition is greatly exaggerated when the next 

 pain comes on. 



' We may here call attention to certain HigOH presented by Cows, ;in<l which have 

 been dLScribed by Biot ( I'trtuil ilc Mid. Vctrritiaire, lS7t3, p. 1007) as essentially pathog- 

 nomonic of uterine disturlmnce in these aniinals, and for this reason have been specially 

 designated as uterine. These signs, upon which hv pl.ice^ the >,'re.'itest diagnostic value, 

 •re observed when the sick Cow is approached or touched in any way. The animal then 

 "suddenly elongates the neck, extends the head, yawns, protrudes tlie tongue, and emits 

 •t the s.-vme time a kind of dull moan, but which is rather a powerful expiration than a 

 real moan." When these signs are present, biot asserts that the cor/m d/lit — the dis- 

 torbance — is in the uterus, and never elsewhere. Laborious or protracted parturition, 

 iinalpositions of the fcetus or monstrous conformation, occlusion or induration of the 

 oervix uteri, hydramnios, t«irsion of the utenjs ; and after parturition, inversion of the 

 iVteras, retention of the placenta, and vitulary apoplexy with or without paralysis ; — all 

 Uiese may give rise t<i the manifestation of this singular phenomenon, which he has never 

 witnessed in any other affection — not even in chronic diseases of the uterus. 



