Chapter V. 

 SOME ACCIDENTS OF PREGNANCY, 



Abnormal Retention of Foetus. 



In this case the foetus is not expelled at the 

 termination of gestation. It may be due to loss of 

 contractile power in the walls of the uterus, to a mal- 

 presentation, or a mal-formation of the foetus, or 

 parent. The labor pains may be present for a time, 

 and then cease, the foetus being retained in the cavity 

 for an indefinite period. It may become mummified, 

 or undergo calcareous degeneration, and when either 

 of these changes has taken place, the parent seems to 

 suffer very little inconvenience. After a time, it 

 sometimes decomposes, and may destroy the parent by 

 septicaemia, or pyaemia. It is possible for an animal to 

 give birth to a fully developed foetus, while she has a 

 mummified one in her uterus. 



The treatment will depend upon the cause of the 

 retention. 



Metrorrhagia. 



Hemorrhage from the Womb of a Pregnant Animal. 



This condition is rare in our subjects, but more 



common in the human female. When present, should 



be treated on similar lines to post-partum hemorrhage 



(which see), avoiding, of course, any part of the 



treatment which would cause irritation to the parts 



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