MORIill) JLTA'j;.tTlOXS IX T/fK C KXi:UATirE OIKiAXS. 361 



unless there is something most unusual in the case ; as it is a most 

 painful operation, and likely to produce contusions and lacerations of 

 the cervix, which may require much time and attention to repair. 



Incision of the cervix {vaijinal Jii/stcrotoviy) is another operation 

 which can scarcely ever be required for rigidity or spasm of tliis part, 

 and ought to bo reserved for more serious conditions. At any rate, it 

 should not be practised until the other measures we have eimmerated 

 have been fairly tried, as it is an operation not without rislt of ill 

 consequences. 



In some cases, in which the spasmodic action of the uterus is 

 irregular, and leads to occlusion of the os, it might be advisable to 

 resort to anaesthesia, produced by the inhalation of ether or chloroform. 

 Of course the anaesthesia should not be pushed to complete insensibility, 

 but be limited to semi-consciousness or " obstetrical anaesthesia." This 

 is more particularly to be recommended for the smaller animals. 



In the majority of cases, when the rigidity has been dispelled or the 

 spasm relaxed, birth will take place without further assistance being 

 required ; though it may be well that the obstetrist assure himself 

 that the foetus is in a favourable position for delivery. If there appears 

 to be atony of the uterus or the mother is exhausted, or if the fu'tus 

 is dead or in a faulty position, then it will be necessary to afford aid in 

 parturition by adjustment and traction. 



In very many instances, it must be remembered, this rigid condition 

 of the cervix is due to malpresentation or malposition of the foetus in 

 the uterus ; and even when the os has been sufliciently relaxed, the 

 young creature cannot pass through until it has been properly placed, 

 and not unfrequently aided through the genital canal. 



3. Indiuation of the Cervix Uteri. 



Induration of the cervix is the term applied to this part when its 

 texture is altered in any way — whether the alteration be librous, sarco- 

 matous, or cancerous — so that its elasticity being destroyed, and its 

 structure inextensible, it offers an obstacle to parturition. 



This alteration, or " scirrhus," as it has sometimes been designated, 

 is not at all infrequent ; but it has been observed, it appears, nearly 

 always in the Cow, and would seem to be almost, if not quite, peculiar 

 to that animal.' The reason for this partiality has been variously 

 accounted for, but probably Bouley, in an unpublished note to Saint- 

 Cyr, has afforded the most satisfactory explanation. He remarks that 

 " irritation produces in the Bovine species phenomena of induration 

 much more durable than in any other species ; in proof of this, witness 

 tlie plastic engorgements — so adverse to suppuration, and so slow to 

 disappear — which are caused by a seton introduced beneath the skin 

 of an Ox ; witness, also, the enormous swellings obsei^ved as a con- 

 sequence of inoculation for pleuro-jineumonia (Bovine), and those in- 

 durated tumours vulgai"ly designated osteo-sarconuitous, so frequent on 



' I can only find one case mentioned as occurring in any other animal, and that 

 happened in a Ewe. It is reported by Shentone ( Veterinarian, vol. xxix., p. 36), who 

 says thiit the creature had been in lal>>ur since the previous night, but i>ad made no 

 progrei*s, and was very much exhausted. "It w.as a c.%se of scirrhous os uteri. I told 

 him (the owner) I would <livide the stricture as the only means of saving her, but in her 

 case it was almost a 'forlorn hope.' However. I did divide it, cutting in two placet", 

 parallel to each other, and with a g.iod deal of ditficidty extracted a large Lamb that had, 

 from its appearance, been dead fur some time." The Ewe recovered. 



