THE FEMALE GENERATIVE OEGANS. 441 



Feee Martins are born twins with bull calves, and have 

 the external form of the female, but are reputed to be 

 sterile. John Hunter, whose great mind neglected no 

 source of information, made this popular opinion a matter 

 of inquiry. He found that the apparently female calf is 

 often hermaphroditic, but all free martins are not to be 

 considered sterile, as many prove fertile. 



The progress of llteiO -gestation is associated with a 

 higher development of the structures of the uterine wall, 

 whereby they are adapted for the supply of oxygen and 

 nutritive materials to the foetus. These changes, being in 

 the direction of higher development, increase the liability 

 to disease. Sometimes False Labour-pains occur before 

 the usual period, tending to produce abortion, and due to 

 such influences as disturb the relations between the mother 

 and the foetus. Thus, falls and injuries separate some of 

 the cotyledons, and stimulate the muscular walls of the 

 uterus to contract. Any colicky pains dependent upon 

 the pregnant condition of the uterus, but not succeeded by 

 expulsion of the foetus, must be classed under this head- 

 ing. Some authorities also include those which produce 

 untimely expulsion. The difference is one of degree, 

 not of kind : therefore these uterine spasms, whenever 

 they take place prematurely, should be carefully watched, 

 and, if they seem likely to produce ill effects, must be 

 controlled by opium or some other antispasmodic. At 

 the same time all irritant food-stuffs which may have 

 been the cause by reflex action, must in future be 

 avoided. 



The Signs op Pregnancy are, sometimes a cessation 

 of oestrum and a considerable improvement in condition 

 together with a want of inclination for the bull. The 

 abdomen enlarges and becomes pendulous, and the 

 mammae increase in size, as also does the mucous mem- 

 brane of the vulva and vagina and its secretion is 

 increased. About the fifth month the fcetus may he 

 detected hy manipulation of the right side ; the wall of 

 the abdomen in front of the stifle being suddenly raised 

 with the hand, the foetus in utero will fall back again 



