DIFFICULT PARTURITION {DYSTOKIA) 317 



fcetus arrives, and one must not forget that many bitches will 

 eat these organs (which are commonly spoken of as ' after- 

 births ') as soon as they appear, thus accounting for their 

 mysterious disappearance. 



Retained puppies quickly decompose when once death has 

 taken place, and septicemia is nearly always the result, 

 although occasionally mummification is observed. 



The Symptoms shown are that the patient is dull, refusing 

 food or vomiting painfully when any has been taken ; the tem- 

 perature is raised to 103°, 104°, or even 106°, and the whole 

 expression is haggard and miserable. There may also be 

 continual attempts at micturition, and the vaginal mucous 

 membrane is very hot and of a nasty livid colour ; there is a 

 blackish-green foetid discharge from the vulva, and pressure 

 on either side of the abdomen causes some of this fluid to 

 be ejected. The abdominal walls are very tender, and the 

 patient groans when any pressure is applied. In the later 

 stages the patient becomes semi-comatose, and usually dies 

 very quietly. 



Prognosis is not hopeful, although Treatment should not be 

 neglected on this account. The sooner it is commenced, the 

 better. Quinine should be given internally together with 

 stimulants, such as brandy, and some preparation of ammonia 

 or ether. If unable to be retained they must be administered 

 hypodermically, and the strength kept up by nutrient enemas 

 or suppositories. 



Uterine injections of some warm, non-irritating antiseptic, 

 such as chinosol (J- to i grain to the ounce), permanganate 

 of potash (2 to 4 grains to the ounce), or biniodide of 

 mercury (i in 1,000 to 2,000), should be given every one or 

 two hours, and in the early stages of a septicaemia this course 

 is sometimes successful in bringing away the decomposing 

 placenta which has been the cause of the mischief. 



In cases of this kind the syringe must be inserted and 

 used gently, care being taken not to distend the uterus 



