672 
V ET E III N A R Y O bST ET R I C Y . 
other animals. Of course, it is well known that the natural pre- 
sentations vary in different animals. 
It will be quite unnecessary for me to point out the usual symp- 
toms that indicate the near approach of parturition, as these are 
tolerably well understood ; but there is one that must not be slightly 
passed over, because it is of vast importance and a sure criterion, 
and one with which we ought to be fully acquainted : it is, in my 
part of the country, called being “ off at the hips.” 
To anatomists it is well known that there are what are called 
the sacro-sciatic ligaments, and Mr. Percivall describes them (in 
the mare) “ as being broad expansions, stretched across the sacro- 
sciatic notch and fixed to the transverse process of the sacrum 
and those of the two anteriormost bones of the coccyx, and to the 
posterior parts of the ilium and ischium, and also to the tube- 
rosity of the latter bone*.” 
Now, in the cow, the part that gives way and sinks is the pos- 
terior division of this ligament, which principally arises from the 
tuberosity of the ischium, and is inserted into the side of the sacrum, 
and slightly to the coccyx, and which, by some, is called the sacro- 
ischiatic ligament. It is very thick and strong up to within a week, 
or even a shorter time, of parturition, and is clearly seen by any 
one on each side of the hip, and, on feeling it, it is found to be 
hard and tense. From this period it gradually becomes softer and 
relaxed : and, instead of standing out in bold relief, the place is 
occupied, and underneath it, is, on the contrary, a soft puffy ca- 
vity, which not very unappropriately is called “ being off at the 
hips.” 
Dr. Blundell, in his Lectures in The Lancet, has observed, “ that 
in many mammiferous animals, when delivery is about to take 
place, a considerable relaxation of the joints of the pelvis occurs, 
leaving the bones in a great measure separated from each other. 
When the cow is about to bring forth the calf, there is, I am in- 
formed, a relaxation of the symphysis pubis, and of the sacro-iliac 
synchrondrosis occurring on either side, and that a day or two be- 
fore parturition the sacrum of the animal falls inwards, and a con- 
siderable chasm in the back is produced, by farmers denominated 
the sinking of the rump, and regarded as a token of approaching 
delivery.” The Doctor then goes on to examine whether it may 
not take place in the human subject, and says, “ on the whole, my 
opinion with respect to relaxation of the ligaments of the pelvis is, 
that in many other genera of the mammalia it occurs in a much 
higher degree than in women, but that even in them some slight 
relaxation is found taking place.” 
Anatomy of the Horse, p. 72. 
