724 Veterinary Obstetrics 



neath the advanced limb, the uterus and vagina formed a projection, under 

 which one could distinguish parts of the fetus, especially the head. These 

 parts were time and again forced to the middle of the pelvic cavity during 

 the labor pains. Beneath the presented foreleg one could feel, through the 

 uterine wall, other parts of the foal, which later were found to be the second 

 anterior limb flexed at the carpus. 



After mounting a stool, so that the arm could be inserted as far as 

 possible, he succeeded in reaching the point of flexure of the uterus. It was 

 not possible to grasp any other part of the fetus. The anterior limb was 

 corded and drawn out by three persons, until the forearm was visible. The 

 other anterior limb was then released from the folds in the uterus and 

 brought into the genital canal, but it could not be extended. In order to 

 secure room, the extended limb was detached. The division of the skin 

 was incomplete, and could only be extended to the elbow joint. As a re- 

 sult of this, it required the combined power of six or seven persons to draw 

 the limb away. 



The head, which was clearly recognizable at the beginning of the opera- 

 tion, became displaced in such a way that it could no longer be reached. 

 There remained, consequently, no other recourse than a forcible extraction 

 of the fetus, which was accomplished by the traction of six or seven persons. 



The mare lay exhausted and listless. After half an hour the pulse was 

 60, strong and regular, which indicated that no great amount of internal 

 hemorrhage was occuring. A small amount of blood flowed from the vulva. 

 By a manual exploration of the uterus, no labor pains were induced. 

 After three and one-half hours the mare arose, staggered somewhat at first, 

 but soon partook of food. In the following days the appetite was fairly 

 good, then failed. 



Four days later the mare was again examined. The pulse was 70, the 

 appetite poor, and now and then there were expulsive efforts. Upon ex- 

 amination of the parts, there was found a great gaping rent in the superior 

 wall of the uterus, so that it was easy to introduce the hand directly into 

 the peritoneal cavity. The animal 'died on the sixth day. The autopsy 

 revealed a rent in the uterus about 25 cm. long, also diffuse peritonitis. 



3. A young mare, at full term, had shown labor pains for several hours. 

 Fetal waters had appeared. Upon inserting the hand as far as possible, 

 only fetal membranes and the uterine wall could be felt ; through these 

 walls, however, in the reflexed uterus, parts of the fetus could be recognized. 

 An empiric, with the consent of the owner, had made an examination and 

 had torn through the wall of the uterus, which he had mistaken for the 

 fetal membranes. The mare was destroyed. 



4. In 1887 the writer was called to attend an imported Percheron mare, 

 because the keeper believed her to be in labor, although in some way the 

 symptoms appeared to him unusual. 



Upon examination no expulsive efforts could be observed, and when 

 manual exploration of the vagina was made there was marked narrowness 

 of the passage at the usual location of the os uteri, which was mistaken for 

 it. Lying beneath the vagina, a fetus was felt, apparently with all its 

 membranes intact. Non-interference, with close watching, was advised. 



