CATTLE DURING PREGNANCY. 
513 
Abortion is very commonly preceded by decided inflamma- 
tory symptoms ; and such cases, subsequent to delivery, are 
very likely to terminate in disease of the lungs or other viscera. 
Inflammation of the uterus is comparatively of rare occurrence 
as a consequence of this affection ; the more usual sequela being 
a low febrile condition of the animal, attended with a fetid 
unhealthy discharge, suggesting the use of occasional aperients, 
with the preparations of bark, and the frequent employment of 
astringent injections ; these means, with good nursing and atten- 
tion, are generally successful in recovering the health. Yet, in 
concluding this portion of my subject, allow me again to remind 
you of the uncertainty and risk incurred by endeavouring to 
make a breeding cow of an animal that has once been so 
affected. 
Dropsy of the Uterus or Womb will be the next disease to 
which I shall direct your attention ; but as this is an affection 
of rather unusual occurrence, and consequently to non-profes- 
sional hearers of only trifling interest, the remarks I shall have 
to make in reference to it will be but brief. This disease occa- 
sionally affects the cow, sheep, and dog, but more frequently 
the latter. In cows, old animals are most commonly the sub- 
jects of attack, and generally towards the latter period of utero- 
gestation. The causes operating to establish this affection are 
but ill-defined; injury to the uterus and foetal membranes, 
through the movements of the dam, or by direct external injury, 
may be very likely to produce it; or it may be attributable to 
a debilitated condition of the system, the weakness of the circu- 
lation being unequal to the propulsion of the quantity of blood 
required by the uterus through the smaller bloodvessels, when 
a filtration of its watery parts would, as a consequence, result. 
The symptoms are, an unhealthy and debilitated state of the 
animal; membranes of the eye pale and watery, a pendulous 
and much enlarged condition of the abdomen, spine curved 
downwards, when recumbent a difficulty in rising, and occa- 
sionally a considerable rupture of the abdominal muscles. 
The treatment will in a measure depend on the period of 
gestation at which it is noticed, and on the general health of 
the animal. If the time of parturition is near at hand and the 
cow continues tolerably active, all I should then advise would 
be to keep her quiet, and await the time of calving. Should, 
however, the case assume a more unfavourable character, I 
would at once proceed to withdraw the fluid. This may be 
effected in several ways, but should be first attempted by intro- 
ducing the hand up the vagina and dilating the mouth of the 
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