CHAPTER V. 
SOME ACCIDENTS OF PREGNANCY. 
Abnormal Retention of Foetus. 
In this case the foetus is not expelled at the 
termination of gestation. It may be due to loss of 
contractile power in the walls of the uterus, to a mal- 
presentation, or a mal-formation of the fcetus, or 
parent. The labor pains may be present for a time, 
and then cease, the fcetus being retained in the cavity 
for an indefinite period. It may become mummified, 
or undergo calcareous degeneration, and when either 
of these changes has taken place, the parent seems to 
suffer very little inconvenience. After a time, it 
sometimes decomposes, and may destroy the parent by 
septicemia, or pyeemia. It is possible for an animal to. 
give birth to a fully developed foetus, while she has a 
mummified one in her uterus, 
The treatment will depend upon the cause of the 
retention. 
Metrorrhagia. 
Hemorrhage from the Womb of a Pregnant Animal. 
This condition is rare in our subjects, but more 
common in the human female. When present, should 
be treated on similar lines to post-partum hemorrhage 
(which see), avoiding, of course, any part of the 
treatment which would cause irritation to the parts. 
51 
