CuaprTer VI. 
DYSTOKIA. 
Among the lower animals, and, in fact, among all 
females, a great many of the troubles and abnormal 
conditions met with at parturition, can be immediately 
traced to the habits, laws, and fashions of domestica- 
tion. In the majority of cases, when a Cow, for 
instance, is allowed to run at pasture, and the grass not 
too luxuriant and stimulating, parturition takes place 
unattended, and both mother and young one do well. 
The same law holds good in the human subject. 
When the female is in comfortable, but not too 
luxuriant circumstances, the percentage of cases of 
difficult parturition, or accidents after, is considerably 
less than it is in those who spend their time, while 
pregnant, in indolence and luxury. 
Actual Causes, other than Hygienic Treatment, which 
give rise to Difficult Parturition. 
FETAL DYSTOKIA. 
The first great cause is mal-presentation or mal- 
position of the feetus. 
The second, mal-formation of the fcetus. 
MATERNAL DYSTOKIA. 
The third, mal-formation of the parent. 
The fourth, disease existing in the parent at the 
time of parturition, interfering with or preventing the 
expulsion of the foetus. 
60 
