170 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



tumors which I have met with in the mare's bladder have been inva- 

 riably delicate in texture and could be removed piecemeal by forceps. 

 Fortunately, mares affected in this way rarely breed. 



IMPACTION OF THE RECTUM WITH FECES. 



In some animals, with more or less paralysis or weakness of the tail 

 and rectum, the rectum may become so impacted with solid feces that 

 the mare is iniable to discharge them, and the accumulation both by 

 reason of the mechanical obstruction and the pain caused by pressure 

 upon it will impel the animal to cut short all labor pains. The 

 rounded swelling surrounding the anus will at once suggest the con- 

 dition, when the obstruction may be removed by the well-oiled or 

 well-soaped hand. 



SPASM OF THE NECK OF THE AVOMB. 



This occurs in the mare of specially excitable temperament, or 

 under particular causes of irritation, local or general. Labor pains, 

 though continuing for some time, produce no dilatation of the neck of 

 the womb, which will be found firmly closed so as to admit but one or 

 two fingers, and this, although the projection at the mouth of the 

 Avomb may haA'e been entirely effaced, so that a simple round opening 

 is left, Avith rigid margins. 



Treatment.— The simplest treatment consists in smearing this part 

 Avith solid extract of belladonna, and after an interval inserting the 

 hand Avith fingers and thumb drawn into the form of a cone, ruptur- 

 ing the membranes and bringing the fetus into position for extrac- 

 tion, as advised under ** Prolonged retention of the fetus." Another 

 mode is to insert through the neck of the Avomb an ovoid caoutchouc 

 bag, empty, and furnished Avith an elastic tube 12 feet long. Carry 

 the free end of this tube upward to a height of 8, 10, or 12 feet, insert 

 a filler into it, and proceed to distend the bag with tepid or Avarm 

 water. 



FIBROUS BANDS CONSTRICTING OR CROSSING THE NECK OF THE AVOMB. 



These, occurring as the result of disease, haA^e been several times 

 observed in the mare. They may exist in the caA'ity of the abdomen 

 and compress and obstruct the neck of the Avomb, or they may extend 

 from side to side of the vagina across and just behind the neck of the 

 Avomb. In the latter position they may be felt and quickly remedied 

 by cutting them across. In the abdomen they can only be reached by 

 incision, and two alternatiA'es are presented: (1) To perform embry- 

 otomy and extract the fetus piecemeal and (2) to make an incision 

 into the abdomen and extract by the Caesarean operation, or simply to 

 cut the constricting band and attempt delivery by the usual channel. 



