HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



into the now liii^lih' \'a<rnlar generative passage. Furtlier, the 

 multifarious causes of prolonged and abnormal labour most 

 certainh' demands that the work be relegated to the pro- 

 fessional man, but this should be before and not after damage 

 has been done by clumsy hands, communicating disease into the 

 interior. 



It is most unjust to any practitioner to ask him to com- 

 plete a task that has foiled, and been fouled by, an amateur. 

 If it is impossible to obtain the services of a quaUfied V.S., 

 and labour is complicated, then the hands, arms, etc., ought 

 to be scrubbed with hot water containing seme disinfectant, 

 and the mare's external genitals w^ashed in a similar manner. 



If the foal is dead, a few quarts of warm water is useful 

 to irrigate the womb with, and a little antiseptic can be added 

 to this with advantage. 



The warmth assists relaxation of the muscles and liga- 

 ments, likewise serves to lubricate the passage, thus facilitating 

 delivery of the foal. 



Rough treatment must be avoided. If any cords are used, 

 these should be well boiled beforehand, so as to sterilise them. 



Many difficult presentations occur, such as the " breech " 

 — a very intricate one — more especially if foal is on its back 

 or side. One fore and one hind limb are sometimes put for- 

 ward on delivery, therefore extreme care must be exercised 

 to ascertain whether this is the case, before fixing cords and 

 attempting delivery. 



The head may be presented, but no signs of limbs. Foal 

 must be pushed back and an effort made to reach the fetlocks 



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