620 ACCIDEXTS AFTER I'ARTURITION. 



accident, which is increased by pregnancy, and the volume and malpre- 

 sentation of the foetus no doubt lead to its occurrence when parturition 

 takes place. The sacro-iliac articulations may also participate in this 

 relaxation, the symptoms of which are deformity of the pelvis, and 

 altered movement of the hind-limbs. 



The animal lies almost continually, and rises with great difficulty. 

 When up, it can scarcely move, and the hind-quarters sway from side 

 to side — the ilium of either side rising or falling as the corresponding 

 limb sustains or is relieved from weight. The hand, passed into the 

 rectum, will cause pain if pressure is made on the sacro-iliac articulation. 

 The internal angle of the iliums projects much beyond the spines of the 

 sacrum, and when the animal walks movement. can be detected between 

 the pubic bones. 



The condition is considered incurable. 



V. — EUPTURE OF THE BlADDEE. 



Eupture of the bladder alone, during parturition, would appear to be 

 an unusual accident, from the infrequent mention of its occurrence. 

 That it may happen, however, is beyond dispute, and the cause of it is 

 obvious. In the Mare the act of parturition is hurried and energetic, 

 and if it occurs while the bladder is distended with urine, the pressure 

 of the foetus during expulsion may rupture this viscus, and particularly 

 if the rectum above is also full of fajces, the foetus large, and perhaps 

 in a wrong position. 



The extravasated urine gives rise to peritonitis, and the animal will 

 present the symptoms of that most painful inflammation. Death is 

 inevitable. 



VI. — ^EUPTUEE OF THE INTESTINES. 



There are some instances recorded in which rupture of the intestines 

 — small and large — has occurred during parturition, without the uterus 

 or other organs being involved. The accident may have been due to 

 over-repletion of the stomach and intestines with ingesta, and the 

 energetic action of the abdominal muscles upon these organs during the 

 labour pains ; or from the animal throwing itself down violently, under 

 the sam^e circumstances. 



Schaack mentions a case in which rupture was due to a loop of 

 intestine being compressed between the foetus and the brim of the 

 pelvis, when the former was passing through the genital canal. 



Such an accident is beyond remedy. 



Invagination of the intestines — rectum and floating colon — in the 

 Mai-e, has also occurred during parturition, due probably to severe 

 expulsive efibrts. 



VII. — Eupture of the Diaphragm. 



Eupture of the diaphragm is a rare occurrence during parturition, 

 and I can only find three cases recorded. They were probably due to 

 the same causes as those which produce rupture of the intestines. 

 Death resulted. 



