252 VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



foetus is generally expelled in its intact membranes; this more- 

 frequently happens at an early stage of pregnancy. vSometimes, 

 however, the amnion ruptures at the commencement of the abor- 

 tion and the embryo or foetus escapes with a small quantity of 

 liquor amnii, the envelopes being rejected soon after, or in some 

 instances they may be retained in the uterus, and thus constitute 

 a source of danger, the animal not making any effort to get rid of 

 them. This complicated abortion occurs more frequently at the 

 later stages of pregnancy, and more resembles normal birth than 

 simple abortion, which is more often witnessed in the first half of 

 gestation. Nevertheless we have the latter happen so late some- 

 times as the seventh or eighth month in the larger animals. - It 

 is observed more particularly in those which are debilitated from 

 any cause; but at the same time animals which appear in the very 

 best health are often the victims of simple abortion. So little dis- 

 turbance does this kind of abortion cause that the animal can 

 be treated in every way as if nothing had happened, though 

 it is more judicious to give a little extra care for some 

 hours at least. In what has been termed laborious, difficult 

 or complicated abortion, which is often due to external causes 

 such as injuries, the precursory sj^mptoms are generally well 

 marked, and vary somewhat according as the foetus may be 

 dead or alive. The animal suddenly appears dull, and 

 peculiarly dejected; or it is restless, uneasy and continually 

 moving about; if pregnancy is advanced and the foetus is alive 

 and strong, its movements are, on watching the abdomen at- 

 tentively, perceived to be frequent, violent and disordered, but 

 they soon become feeble and unfrequent and cease altogether when 

 the foetus has succumbed. The appetite is lost, and a plaintive 



neigh in the mare is emitted every now and again; the 



pulse is quick, small and hard as in haemorrhage; progression is 

 difficulty and unsteady; the physiognomy is anxious and respira- 

 tion hurried. When the foetus is alive there is perhaps less pros- 

 tration, and with the mare there appears to be much abdominal 

 pain. The animal often looks anxiously towards the flanks, paws 

 with its fore feet and stamps with its hind ones, moves from side 

 to side, perspires at the flank breast and elsewhere, lies down and 

 gels up again, whisks the tail incessantly and exhibits every indi- 

 cation of increasing restlessness. At the same time the abdomen. 



