378 Veterinary Obstetrics 



of other viscera, do not interfere materially with their functions. 

 The modifications in position necessitated by the growth of the 

 uterus come about gradually, so that the other organs readily 

 adapt themselves to the change, without inconvenience. 



The increased weight of the body contents, which has become 

 greater in pregnancy, necessarily hampers somewhat the move- 

 ments of the mother, so that she is slower and less agile. It 

 may be also that there are psychic reasons which cause her to 

 move more slowly and carefully, lest there should be danger of 

 injury to herself or her fetus. 



Very early in pregnancy, important psychic changes occur. 

 In the mare, especially, it is noted that there is greater docility 

 and that the animal seems somewhat more sluggish. Both the 

 mare and the cow, toward the latter part of pregnane)-, show some 

 arousing of the maternal instinct and are more ready to defend 

 themselves in event of danger. This is especially noted in the 

 cow upon the approach of carnivorous animals, which, in the 

 natural state, constitute her enemies. 



In domestic animals we do not observe those disturbances in 

 the digestive and nervous systems which are seen at the com- 

 mencement of pregnancy in woman. As a general rule, the 

 pregnant female is more quiet and contented than the non- 

 pregnant and, during the first half of pregnancy, takes on flesh 

 rapidly upon a comparatively light diet, but later in gestation 

 shows a tendency to lose flesh, because of the great drain upon 

 the maternal system due to the rapid growth of the fetus. This 

 tendency to fatten during the early stages of pregnancy is used 

 by stock-feeders to hasten the fattening process of animals in- 

 tended for slaughter. The animals are habitually bred at a 

 favorable time and then sold upon the market before they have 

 reached the middle stage of gestation. 



Fleming states that the pressure exerted by the uterus upon 

 the vagina and the neck of the bladder causes the animal to 

 urinate more frequently, but this is not noticeable clinically. 

 Probably this thought is suggested by the clinical fact observed 

 in pregnant woman, in whom, owing to her position and that 

 of the fetus, there is direct mechanical compression of the urinary 

 bladder. The volume of blood in the body of the pregnant 

 female is said to be positively increased, but its corpuscles and 

 solid constituents relatively decreased. 



