444 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



SuPEKFCETATiON is the impregnation of a second ovum 

 after the embryo from another has undergone a certain 

 degree of development and is still in the uterus. It 

 sometimes is observed in the cow. 



Extra-uterine Conception — development of the foetus 

 in situations other than the cavity of the womb — is an 

 extraordinary phenomenon of which some cases in the 

 cow are recorded. It is rare, and seems in this animal 

 only to assume the abdominal form. Exploration per 

 vaginam vel rectum discloses no foetus, though the 

 abdomen has become enlarged and the other signs of 

 utero-gestation have appeared in due course, and even 

 there are indications of approaching parturition. The 

 foetus is found in the peritoneal sac, embedded in fibri- 

 nous material, and often in a very advanced stage of deve- 

 lopment, the neighbouring parts of the mother taking 

 upon themselves the nutritive functions of the uterine 

 walls. 



The Gasarean Operation may be tried in these cases, as 

 being the only chance of relief, for if the foetus be re- 

 tained, it may give rise to septic disease of the mother. 

 Occasionally it undergoes calcification. It must be noted 

 that in these cases the position of the foetus may be 

 determined, and it may even be removed without inci- 

 sion into the peritoneal sac. Nature sometimes adopts 

 this method, and throws off the decomposed foetus in the 

 pus of an abscess. The animal having been cast on the 

 left side and the right leg loosened and drawn backwards, 

 an incision is then to be made with the usual precautions, 

 as in ruminotomy but about one foot in length. 

 The intestines having been drawn to one side, an incision 

 must be made through the uterine walls or into the 

 tumour in which the foetus is embedded, and the latter is 

 taken out and the umbilical cord ligatured and divided. 

 The membranes are then to be removed, and the uterine 

 walls to be closed with catgut sutures, the outer wall 

 being closed in the usual way. This operation is very 

 formidable, but may succeed if properly performed with 

 due antiseptic precautions. It must be had recourse to. 



