Managemerit of Normal Parturition 545 



When it has been determined that there is a want of contractile 

 power, although not dependent upon some mechanical obstacle to 

 parturition, we have passed the border line between normal birth 

 and dystokia. Without materially invading the latter field we 

 may here suggest that the difficulty should be overcome by admin- 

 istering such stimulants or tonics as will tend to arouse the con- 

 tractile power of the uterus and the general strength of the ani- 

 mal. Some have advised the use of ecbolics, such as ergot, rue and 

 other drugs of this class, but their power to induce contractions 

 of the uterus in domestic animals is very questionable, and 

 they certainly do not tend to strengthen the system of the animal 

 as a whole. It is probably better to employ such reliable stimu- 

 lants to the nervous system as strychnine, or diffusible stimulants 

 like alcohol and its derivatives, or coffee and other drugs. 



Traction upon the fetus is evidently unnecessary in normal 

 parturition and is only called for in those cases where there is 

 some deviation from the normal course. It is well here merely 

 to point out that, in some of those cases which mark the border- 

 line between normal birth and dystokia, it may be desirable to 

 apply more or less traction in order to aid the pregnant animal 

 in her efforts to expel the fetus. Such aid should be intelli- 

 gently applied in those cases where the pregnant animal is some- 

 what weak or debilitated, where for any reason the parturition 

 has been more or less delayed and the animal is becoming ex- 

 hausted, or where the life of the fetus may be imperiled by a 

 tardy delivery. In primipara, especially in young heifers, gen- 

 tle and judicious traction upon the fetus is frequently desirable 

 in order to aid them in overcoming the obstacles presented, but 

 it should always be borne in mind that any undue or unnecessary 

 traction may prove exceedingly harmful by forcing the fetus 

 through the birth canal before the latter has had time to become 

 fully and effectively dilated. In this way the tissues become 

 more or less seriously bruised or ruptured, which might well be 

 avoided by allowing abundance of time and a natural dilation of 

 the passages. 



When a fetus presents posteriorly, especially in the mare and 

 cow, it is essential to hasten its expulsion as soon as the body 

 has advanced far enough into the canal that the umbilic cord 

 is engaged and compressed between the fetal body and the pubic 

 brim of the mother. In managing such a case, the advancement 

 35 



