118 THE BREEDING OF ANIMALS 



is common and is easily remedied in the mare by dilata- 

 tion with the fingers. The hand, smeared with bella- 

 donna ointment and with the fingers drawn into the form 

 of a cone, is introduced through the vagina until the pro- 

 jecting, rounded neck of the womb is felt at its anterior 

 end. This is opened by the careful insertion of one finger 

 at a time, until the fingers have been passed through the 

 constricted neck into the open cavity of the womb. The 

 introduction is made with a gentle rotary motion, and 

 all precipitate violence is avoided, as abrasion, laceration 

 or other cause of irritation is likely to interfere with 

 the retention of the semen and with impregnation. If 

 the neck of the womb is rigid and unyielding from the 

 induration which follows inflammation a rare condi- 

 tion in the mare, though common in the cow more 

 force will be requisite, and it may even be needful to incise 

 the neck to the depth of one-sixth of an inch in four 

 or more opposite directions prior to forcible dilation. The 

 incision may be made with a probe-pointed knife, and 

 should be done by a professional man if possible. The 

 subsequent dilatation may be best effected by the slow 

 expansion of sponge or seaweed tents inserted into the 

 narrow canal. In such cases it is best to let the wounds 

 of the neck heal before putting to horse." 



114. Obstruction of Fallopian tubes resulting from 

 excessive fatness. In excessively fat animals, the 

 Fallopian tubes may become mechanically obstructed 

 by the pressure of fat tissue. This closure of the tube 

 makes it impossible for the ova to descend into the uterus, 

 and although the female may come regularly in heat and 

 coition occur, the animal does not become pregnant. 

 This condition does not necessarily involve fatty degen- 

 eration of the reproductive tissues, but may be associated 



