LECTURE LV. 

 OBSTETRICS. 



ACCIDENTS OF PREGNANCY. 



(b) Retention of the foetus. —This trouble is most common 

 in cows. Period may vary from normal up to five years. Foetus 

 may be alive in the cow for at least a year from pregnancy. It 

 may be dead and mumified or it may decompose. 



Symptoms. — The mother may show labor pains at normal 

 time and all other symptoms of parturition may be present. The 

 symptoms disappear and the cow goes on as if non-pregnant, but 

 ■does not usually come in heat. 



Causes. — Partial paralysis of the uterus ; excessive adhesions 

 between foetus and uterus ; deformed pelvis ; torsion of uterus, etc. 



Treatment. — At normal period of delivery dilate the neck of 

 the uterus with the aid of belladonna ointment and gentle me- 

 chanical force, and deliver. If the cow has gone safely past this 

 period then fatten and sell for beef. 



(c) Volvulous (or twist). — A twist sometimes occurs in the 

 neck of the uterus and makes delivery exceedingly difficult. 



It is much more common in the cow than in the mare, and 

 usually occurs near the termination of pregnancy. 



Cause. — It may be caused by the patient slipping or falling, 

 and especially if she rolls over late in the period of pregnancy. 

 Some authors think it may be due to active and unusual move- 

 ments of the foetus. It can only be diagnosed positively by ex- 

 amination with the hand and finding the twist in the neck of the 

 uterus. 



Treatment. — If the twist is slight, the operator may be able 

 to reduce it by introducing the hand into the uterus and grasping 

 some portion of the foetus and causing the uterus to unwind; by 

 a strong twisting motion. Sometimes it is necessary to throw the 

 cow or mare, then introduce the hand, grasp firmly one or more 

 limbs of the foetus and have the cow rolled in the opposite direc- 



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