362 MATERXAL DY,STOKIA. 



the maxilla, and which repeated irritation caused by the prick of a 

 needle are sufficient to produce. This seems to be a general organic 

 fact, of which induration of the cervix uteri is only a particular instance." 



This induration must not be confounded w^ith the dense, fibrous, 

 though normal, consistence of the cervix of the Cow's uterus, which, 

 there can be no doubt, has often been mistaken for a diseased condition, 

 and particularly when in a rigid or spasmodic state. The distinction 

 between what we may term the functional derangement and the jja;J/io- 

 logical alteration of this part, is of great importance from an obstetrical 

 point of view ; as the first may be remedied by the mild and innocuous 

 measures enumerated, while the second can only be overcome by a 

 more or less serious surgical operation. 



In some cases, perhaps, the induration is congenital ; but it must be 

 admitted that, as a rule, it is due to the influence of disease or injury — 

 past or present — in the textures. It may, therefore, be expected to be 

 more frequent in old animals, or those which have already been bred 

 from, than in those which are young or are pregnant for the first time, 

 though these do not appear to be exempt. 



Eancon assured Eainard that morbid induration of this part was wit- 

 nessed more frequently in the ancient Briangonnais, where he practised 

 for thirty-six years, than in other regions of France. "We are not aware 

 whether the influence of breed or locality has been observed to influence 

 its prevalence in other countries. 



Sy7n2:)to7ns. 



Owing to the situation of the cervix, and the nature of the tissues 

 entering into its composition, as well as to the slowness with which 

 the pathological alterations take place, this condition may be in exist- 

 ence for a long time without any appreciable change being observable 

 in the animal's health. Therefore it is that Cows which are so affected 

 do not exhibit anything during the whole period of pregnancy, which 

 might lead a person to suspect the existence of uterine disease. 



In some cases, however, towards the termination of pregnancy there 

 has been remarked a listlessness or gradually increasing debility, which 

 has been so great at last that the animal assumed the recumbent posi- 

 tion, and could not get up without assistance. This general weakness 

 has been mistaken for paraplegia, though it has sometimes been supposed 

 to be due to lumbago ; though it may have been merely a symptom of 

 generalised cancerous infection, the part itself being the seat of cancer. 



But in the great majority of cases, the existence of induration is not 

 suspected until parturition sets in, when the labour pains, which may 

 continue for a long time, attract more than ordinary attention, as birth 

 does not take place. And not infrequently during the pains, and more 

 especially when the animal is lying, a livid, irregular-shaped, and nodu- 

 lated kind of tumour appears between the labia of the vulva ; this is the 

 undilated cervix uteri. 



In other instances, however, nothing is observable externally, and a 

 vaginal exploration is necessary. The cervix is then discovered to be 

 more or less dense without being much increased in size, or it may 

 protrude into the vagina, and form a voluminous, irregular, nodulated 

 tumour which in some cases feels as hard as wood, and in others has a 

 rugged, soft, and ulcerated surface. Some veterinary obstetrists have 

 described transverse rugas, composed of a solid, unyielding, fibro-carti- 

 laginous material, in the os. 



