128 BOVINE OBSTETEICS 



is very slowly resorbed, so that after a while the foetal mem- 

 branes are closely moulded to the foetus. The walls of the 

 uterus contract and the mucosa undergoes many changes. 

 The cotyledons undergo fatty degeneration and atrophy, they 

 lose their peduncles, become smaller, appearing finally as long 

 yellowish spots upon the mucosa. The foetal plasma is 

 absorbed, and the skeleton, covered by a parchment-like tissue, 

 remains behind. This process is not characterized by a single 

 symptom. The cow appears perfectly well. 



Expulsion of the foetus is manifested by the following 

 phenomena : After the animal has been considered unimpreg- 

 uated for some time, months, possibly years, and has not been 

 in heat all that time, symptoms indicating oestrum set in 

 (Franck). The cow strains a little ; a more or less dark colored 

 discharge mixed with blood flows from the vagina. When the 

 vagina is explored, the mummy is found in the vagina or uterus, 

 the OS uteri being sufiiciently opened to allow entrance of the 

 hand into the uterine cavity with a few rotary movements. 

 The uterine contractions are, of course, very feeble. The pro- 

 cess of invulution injured uterine contractility, and consequently 

 expulsion is slow, the foetus remaining in the vagina often for 

 days. The vaginal discharge first induces us to make an 

 examination per vaginam. 



Therapeutics. — While discussing the symptomatology it was 

 stated that the fruitless efforts of the mother to give birth may 

 escape attention and that no aid is called for on account of the 

 short duration. Close observation of the symptoms might 

 confirm by rectal or vaginal examination an eventual torsio 

 uteri. (See " Torsio Uteri.") During expulsion we must 

 endeavor to hasten it by cautious extraction and lubrication of 

 the genital canal. This is usually not difficult. As after treat- 

 ment, antiseptic and astringent irrigations, on account of the 

 insufficient contraction of the uterus, are to be employed. 

 Should the uterus contract after expulsion and the foetus and 

 membranes be inodorous, irrigations may be omitted. The 

 discharge from the genital canal following expulsion may 

 be of long duration. In most cases it is of chocolate color 



