686 Veterinary Obstetrics 



from cervical lacerations, retained afterbirth or other forms of 

 local irritation. In our experience it has been confined to 

 heifers. In one heifer the cervix was so hard and unyielding 

 that, in forcing the fetus through the narrowed cervical canal, 

 the cervix was torn asunder, leaving a wide rent into the perito- 

 neal cavity. 



The induration may lead to a condition which will admit of a 

 moderate degree of dilation, permitting the fetus to pass with 

 more or less difficulty ; or to complete atresia of the canal.. Be- 

 tween these two extremes there may be every possible variation. 



The symptoms of induration and atresia of the cervix do not 

 appear until parturition sets in and expulsive efforts have become 

 established, when it soon becomes evident that there is some 

 serious obstacle to birth. Although the expulsive efforts may 

 be vigorous, and to all external appearances everything may 

 seem normal, there is nevertheless little or no progress. 



In the milder cases the fetal membranes may protrude and 

 rupture, or even some portion of the fetus, especially one or two 

 extremities, may advance along the vaginal canal and appear at 

 the vulva ; but, regardless of the expulsive efforts, no substantial 

 progress is made. The constriction continuing day after day 

 unless relief is given, the placenta may finally come away, leaving 

 the fetus behind, and the expulsive efforts may cease, while 

 the fetus undergoes putrid decomposition. The cow may 

 apparently recover her condition, or may succumb to septicaemia, 

 with all the symptoms attendant thereon. 



The diagnosis of induration and atresia of the cervix must de- 

 pend primarily upon the revelation of the condition to the sense 

 of touch upon manual exploration. When the veterinarian ex- 

 amines the genital canal he finds that the 6s is more or less com- 

 pletely closed, that the cervical canal is largely undilatible, 

 and that the walls of the cervix are hard, tense and unyielding. 

 In some cases the walls of the cervix are evidently greatly thickened 

 for a considerable distance, while in others the diseased condition 

 may be limited to the vaginal portion of the cervix. 



Perhaps one or more fingers, or even the entire hand, may be 

 passed through the cervical canal, but beyond this degree no 

 dilation may seem practical, and the parts are exceedingly dense 

 and rigid to the touch. 



