258 



Anatomy and Physiology of the 



lakes place within its follicles, and the teats are hot and full 

 When delivery is about to be effected, the animal becomes rest- 

 less, often lies down, strains, rises again, changes her position, 

 looks to her flanks, and carries the tail higher than natural, &c. 



As I shall have again to allude to these indications, I pass on 

 to remark on the means taken to satisfy ourselves that a foetus 

 does exist within the uterus. During the earliest periods of gesta- 

 tion the question of pregnancy is a most difficult one to decide, 

 but subsequently that which was ambiguous becomes clear, and 

 we are then enabled to make a correct diagnosis. As the foetus 

 is early located within the womb, so we shall find that, in such 

 animals as will admit of the hand being passed up the rectum, 

 we can detect its presence in the form of a small, roundish, 

 and slightly moveable body situated below and without the 

 intestine. The hand being quietly kept in this situation, and 

 pressed upon the enlargement, will occasionally recognise volun- 

 tary movements in the living embryo. Some persons prefer to 

 introduce the hand into the vagina, and carry it towards the os 

 uteri so as to ascertain its condition ; for, as I have else- 

 where observed, the mouth of the womb is closely shut during 

 gestation, and we also find at this time that it contains a layer 

 of thick albuminous matter. There are serious objections 

 to this latter proceeding, for when the manipulations are most 

 carefully performed abortion will not unfrequently result. Per- 

 cussion over the uterine region is also of great assistance ; and 

 auscultation has its advocates, who inform us that the ear placed 

 in contact with the abdomen of an impregnated animal, and moved 

 gently from spot to spot, will often detect the sound of the foetal 

 heart. We confess, however, that we have not succeeded to our 

 satisfaction, although we have made very many investigations of 

 this kind. With reference to percussion, all are practically ac- 

 quainted with the manner in which this is adopted, and the side of 

 the cow, viz. the right, that is selected. The inclination of the 

 impregnated uterus to the right side depends upon the rumen 

 being situated in the left division of the abdomen. In the still 

 more advanced periods of gestation, foetal movements can be seen 

 while standing by the side of an animal ; and as these are often 

 found to be both stronger and quicker in the mare after drinking 

 a full quantity of cold water, grooms and stablemen have frequent 

 recourse to this plan ; to which, however, we object, as spasms of 

 the intestines and death have occasionally been produced by it. 



The period of utero-gestation, or length of time that the foetus 

 is detained in the uterus, depends upon several causes, and 

 differs in nearly every variety of animal unless belonging to the 

 same tribe or family. The average period that the mare carries 

 her young may be stated as being near to forty eight weeks, the 



