464 Veterinary Obstetrics 



through an abscess opening upon the surface of the abdomen, 

 the diagnosis is easily reached. When the uterine contents are 

 being discharged intermittently through the vagina, it is possible 

 to determine the nature of the disease by examination of the ma- 

 ternal organs or of the expelled parts. When the discharge of 

 the fetus and uterine contents takes place through the digestive 

 tract, there is usually a fetid diarrhea at the time of discharge, 

 which may reveal its nature by the presence of fetal bones or 

 of other fetal parts. 



When these fetal parts are not being discharged, the symptoms 

 are not so clear. There is usually marked depression of the 

 patient, and indications of some profound internal disease, with 

 symptoms indicative of septicaemia. There is emaciation, with 

 a general appearance of bad health, poor appetite, etc. 



Such symptoms are not always present, however, and in some 

 cases the patient may remain apparently well while a fetus is 

 rapidly decomposing in the uterine cavity and is gradually es- 

 caping to the exterior through the genital canal or, more fre- 

 quently, through some artificial channel. An examination per 

 rectum may reveal the greatly distended and fluctuating uterus 

 and even the character of its contents. The fact that an animal, 

 which has been supposed to be pregnant, has passed bej'ond the 

 normal date for parturition, and has become unwell, should 

 arouse the suspicion of the veterinarian and lead him to make a 

 detailed examination. If, in addition, there have been more or 

 less evident signs of labor at or near the proper time for parturi- 

 tion, the symptoms become highly suggestive. 



The cause of retention and decomposition of the dead fetus is 

 exceedingly variable and depends for the most part upon some 

 impediment to its expulsion after death. The prevention of ex- 

 pulsion depends frequently upon torsion of the uterus, especially 

 in the cow and ewe, more rarely in the mare and other animals. 

 In numerous cases of uterine torsion, in the ewe and cow, the 

 uterus becomes transversely parted in its cervix or the vagina is 

 ruptured transversely and the gravid uterus drops down upon 

 the floor of the abdomen, a detached mass. The fetus decomposes, 

 because infection has gained admission to the uterine cavity 

 during torsion, and the detached organ serves as an asbcess cavity. 

 This finally evacuates itself through the floor of the abdomen or 

 through the intestinal tract. 



