Tubal Pregnancy 185 



I. Tubal Pregnancy 



Tubal pregnancy, comparatively common in woman, has 

 not, so far as I know, been recorded in any domestic ani- 

 mal, but it is quite possible and may be encountered by the 

 veterinarian when he is examining the genitalia. The fact 

 that extra-uterine pregnancy is now and then encountered 

 in the abattoir renders it highly probable that tubal preg- 

 nancy does at times occur in animals. The veterinarian 

 does not have the means for diagnosis afforded in woman 

 by the regular occurrence of hemorrhage from the uterus, 

 since the cervix is too securely sealed, but he has a distinct 

 advantage over the human obstetrist in the facility with 

 which palpation per rectum may be applied. The condition 

 would necessarily give rise to a cystic enlargement in the 

 oviduct, associated with a typical corpus luteum of preg- 

 nancy in the corresponding ovary, a typical uterine seal, en- 

 largement of the ovarian artery, and an absence of estrum. 

 If tubal pregnancy is diagnosed, the peril from rupture of 

 the oviduct should be promptly removed by performing 

 laparotomy in the upper flank on the involved side, followed 

 by the amputation of the tube and ovary. If the other side 

 of the reproductive tract is sound, the fertility of the ani- 

 mal is not disturbed. 



After the oviduct has ruptured and the ovum has escaped 

 into the peritoneal cavity, if the accident is discovered 

 early and there are evidences of serious internal hemor- 

 rhage, the animal, if of a species used for food and other- 

 wise fit, should be slaughtered immediately. Should the 

 veterinarian by chance diagnose an old-standing extra- 

 uterine pregnancy, with the fetus securely anchored and 

 enveloped, the fact is to be wholly disregarded, except that 

 the animal is probably permanently sterile on the side where 

 the pregnancy originated. 



J. Vaginal Hernia 



Vaginal hernia, or hernia through the vulvo-vaginal mus- 

 cular wall, is not infrequent in cows. In the cases I have 

 observed there was a rent in the lateral wall of the vagina 



