PREGNANCY. 



157 



causing lameness, is more objectionable than that in which the in- 

 flammation and lameness have both passed, and an active ophthalmia 

 is more to be feared than even an old cataract. For this reason all 

 active diseases in the breeding mare should be soothed and abated at 

 as early a moment as possible. 



EXTRA-UTERINE GESTATION. 



It is rare in the domestic animals to find the fetus developed else- 

 where than in the womb. The exceptional forms are those in which 

 the sperm of the male, making its way through the womb and Fallo- 

 pian tubes, impregnates the ovum prior to its escape, and in which 

 the now vitalized and growing ovum, by reason of its gradually in- 

 creasing size, becomes imprisoned and fails to escape into the womb. 

 The arrest of the ovum may be in the substance of the ovary itself 

 (ovarian pregnancy), in the Fallopian tube (tubal pregnancy), or 

 when by its continuous enlargement it has ruptured its envelopes so 

 that it escapes into the cavity of the abdomen, it may become attached 

 to any part of the serous membrane and draw its nourishment di- 

 dectly from that (abdominal pregnancy). In all such cases there is 

 an increase and enlargement of the capillary blood vessels at the 

 point to which the embryo has attached itself so as to furnish the 

 needful nutriment for the growing offspring. 



All appreciable symptoms are absent, unless from the death of the 

 fetus, or its interference with normal functions, general disorder and 

 indications of parturition supervene. If these occur later than the 

 natural time for parturition, they are the more significant. There 

 may be general inalaise, loss of appetite, elevated temperature, acceler- 

 ated pulse, with or without distinct labor pains. Examination, with 

 the oiled hand in the rectum will reveal the womb of the natural 

 unimpregnated size and shape and with both horns of one size. Fur- 

 ther exploration may detect an elastic mass apart from the womb, and 

 in the interior of which may be felt the characteristic solid body of 

 the fetus. If the latter is still alive and can be stimulated to move, 

 the evidence is even more perfect. The fetus may die and be carried 

 for years, its soft structures becoming absorbed so as to leave only the 

 bones, or by pressure it may form a fistulous opening through the 

 abdominal walls, or less frequently through the vagina or rectum. In 

 the latter cases the best course is to favor the expulsion of the foal and 

 to wash put the resulting cavity with a solution of carbolic acid 1 part 

 to water 50 parts. This may be repeated daily. Where there is no 

 spontaneous opening it is injudicious to interfere, as the danger from 

 the retention of the fetus is less than that from septic fermentation 

 in the lenormous fetal sac when that has been opened to the air. 



