TllK F"oAL. 



66i 



such as two ounces of castor oil, and later when the irritant has be";n 

 expelled to check the discharge by a weak solution of gum arable, of 

 slippery elm or by well-boiled linseed tea or starch, or the like. But 

 even this road is beset by many a difficulty. 



Navel infection. Another disease common to young foals is the so- 

 called navel infection or joint disease. It should be understood that 

 this disease is due to filth germs that gain access to the body of the 

 foal by way of the open umbilical vein of the navel at birth. When these 

 germs enter they set up irritation and inflammation; pus forms and is 



Fig. 1 6. — A German Coach stallion 



absorbed into the circulation from the navel abscess, and other abscesses 

 are formed in all parts of the body, notably in the joints of the limbs. 

 The foal is seen to have a swollen joint and one is likely to think the 

 mare caused the injury; but soon other joints will be affected, and it 

 may extend to the throat and poll. It is comparatively rare that an 

 infected colt can be saved after the- disease has reached the pus-forming 

 stage. 



It has been proved that simple hygienic measures will prevent the 

 disease. The stall in which the mare foals should have every bit of old 



