CuapTer IV. 
SOME CONDITIONS INCIDENTAL TO 
PREGNANCY. 
Some of the conditions may be alluded to merely 
by name: Pica, or depraved appetite, constipation, 
vomiting, colic, amaurosis, albuminuria, cough, mam- 
mitis, hysteria, eclampsia, and cramp. 
Hydrops Amnii. 
Here the amniotic fluid is in excess, and, by 
pressure or tension, may cause death of the foetus, and 
sometimes also the parent, from injury to the uterine 
walls. This condition may be brought about by an 
impoverished condition of the blood, with transudation 
of its watery constituents, resulting in dropsy. 
The membrane should be punctured with a trocar 
and canula, to allow escape of the excess of fluid, and if 
abortion supervene, the cavity should be washed out 
with antiseptics and astringents. It is possible, 
however, for the full period of gestation to be 
completed, after withdrawal of the excess of fluid, 
should the wound in the membranes close. 
The dietary and medicinal ¢veatment is similar to 
that suggested in ‘“‘ Hydrops Uteri.” 
Rachitis and Osteomalacia. 
Softening or fragility of the bones has been 
observed, especially in young pregnant animals. The 
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