Rigidity of Cervix Uteri 683 



the latter with the hand, no actually diseased condition of it can 

 be recognized. 



The prognosis of rigidity or spasm of the cervix of the uterus 

 is usually favorable. Occurring almost wholly in the cow, where 

 labor is frequently prolonged, and where the fetus may live for 

 a long time, the rigidity usually gives way to the pressure of the 

 fetal membranes or of the advancing portions of the fetus, in the 

 course of 24 to 48 hours, and delivery is effected. The prognosis 

 must depend to a great extent upon the position of the fetus in 

 the uterus. If it chances to be in some vicious position, by 

 which a very large mass presents at the cervix, it may have little 

 tendency to cause its dilation. We frequently observe great 

 delay in the dilation of the cervical canal, when the fetus presents 

 by its breech with both hind legs extended forward beneath the 

 abdomen, because in such a case the buttocks are too blunt to 

 act as a wedge. 



There are other cases in which the non-dilation of the cervix 

 may be primarily due to debility on the part of the mother or 

 to some debility or disease of the walls of the uterus. 



Treatment. In the handling of this condition it should be 

 remembered that in the ruminant the process of parturition is 

 usually deliberate and that, if the fetus is presenting normally 

 and the mother seems to be well and strong, the veterinarian 

 should be in no haste until some hours have elapsed after ex- 

 pulsive efforts have becom6 evident. 



When, however, labor becomes unduly protracted, and there 

 seems to not be satisfactory progress, intervention upon the part 

 of the obstetrist is advisable. The dilation of the cervical canal 

 is indicated. He should resort first to the iftost simple means, 

 such as the injection into the vagina, and if practicable also into 

 the cervical canal, of warm emollient liquids, like a i % solution 

 of lysol or bi-carbonate of soda. 



Various drugs have been' suggested to overcome rigidity of 

 the cervix. Presumably, any drug introduced into the general 

 system acts alike upon all parts of the uterus, and while decreas- 

 ing the spasm of the cervix, also decreases the expulsive powers 

 of the organ as a whole. The chief drugs which have been ad- 

 vised for this purpose are opium, chloral hydrate and chloroform. 

 Some have advieed the application of extract of belladonna to 



