166 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



a quart of water) or the inhalation of chloroform and air (equal 

 proportions) to insensibility may secure a respite, during which the 

 missing members may be replaced. If the v:aters have been dis- 

 charged and the mucus dried up, the genital passages and body of the 

 fetus should be lubricated with lard or oil before any attempt at ex- 

 traction is made. When the missing member has been brought up 

 into position and presentation has been rendered natural, traction on 

 the fetus must be made only during a labor pain. If a mare is in- 

 clined to kick, it may be necessary to apply hobbles to protect the 

 operator. 



PREMATURE LABOR PAINS. 



These may be brought on by any violent exertion, use under the 

 saddle, or in heavy draft, or in rapid paces, or in travel by rail or sea, 

 blows, kicks, crushing by other animals in a doorway or gate. Ex- 

 cessive action of purgative or diuretic agents, or of agents that 

 irritate the bowels or kidneys, like arsenic, paris green, all caustic 

 salts and acids, and acrid and narcotico-acrid vegetables, is equally 

 injurious. Finally, the ingestion of agents that stimulate the action 

 of the gravid womb (ergot of rye or of other grasses, smut, various 

 fungi of fodders, rue, savin, cotton root, etc.) may bring on labor 

 l^ains prematurely. 



Besides the knowledge that parturition is not yet due, there will be 

 less enlargement, redness, and swelling of the vulva, less mucous dis- 

 charge, less filling of the udder, and less appearances of wax and 

 probably none of milk from the ends of the teats. The oiled hand 

 introduced into the vulva will not enter with the ease usual at 

 full term, and the neck of the womb will be felt not only closed, but 

 with its projecting papillae, through which it is perforated, not yet 

 flattened down and effaced, as at full term. The symptoms are in- 

 deed those of threatened abortion, but at such an advanced stage of 

 gestation as is compatible with the survival of the offspring. 



Treatment. — The treatment consists in the separation of the mare 

 from all other animals in a quiet, dark, secluded place, and the free 

 use of antispasmodics and anodynes. Opium in dram doses every 

 two hours, or laudanum in ounce doses at similar intervals, will often 

 suffice. When the more urgent symptoms have subsided these doses 

 may be repeated thrice a day till all excitement passes off or until 

 the passages have become relaxed and prepared for parturition. 

 Vibarnum prunifoliu7n., in ounce doses, may be added if necessary. 

 Should parturition become inevitable, it may be favored and any 

 necessary assistance furnished. 



DIFFICULT PARTURITION FROM NARROW PELVIS. 



A disproportion between the fetus got by a large stallion and the 

 pelvis of a small dam is a serious obstacle to parturition, sometimes 



