Common Diseases of the Horse 227 



the manure contains myriads of eggs, it should be mixed with h'me 

 in the midden, or else when dung hauling is carried out the other 

 pastures will be infected. Animals should be housed, and rugged 

 and fed from a manger and rack, as this prevents the infection 

 that would take place on pasture. The diet should be liberal and 

 strengthening. As the appetite is bad, bitter and mineral tonics, 

 such as gentian root and sulphate of iron, should be given. For the 

 anaemia, quinine and chlorate of potash are good. Worm medicines 

 themselves do not seem to have much effect, because the damage is 

 already done. However, good nursing, good food, and warmth will 

 be found to have a beneficial effect. 



IV. FOALING AND THE DISEASES ATTENDANT 

 THEREON 



Foaling is the act of parturition, and signifies the birth of the 

 foal. It is called natural when birth takes place without outside 

 assistance, and in all cases this should be aimed for as conducive to 

 the wellbeing of both mother and offspring. Disease in the majority 

 of cases is caused by undue interference and a lack of attention in 

 sanitary matters. 



Pregnancy 



The time during which the mare carries her young, or the 

 period of gestation, is commonly stated to be 11 months, but it 

 varies sometimes by a month or more; birth may take place 2 or 

 3 weeks prior to the time, or may be delayed until as long after, 

 without causing any injurious effects to either mare or foal. It is 

 generally believed by breeders to be an indication that the foal will 

 be a male or "horse foal" if it is carried more than a few days beyond 

 the 1 1 months. The duration of pregnancy may be from 300 to 360 

 days, but is usually from 335 to 350 days. In an article devoted 

 to foaling and its diseases it hardly seems relative to discuss the 

 question of the signs of pregnancy, but as in some cases confusion 

 may occur between these and diseases of some of the abdominal 

 organs, a few brief sentences upon the matter may not be out of 

 place. In an ordinary way pregnancy is assumed to have com- 

 menced, when no further signs of oestrum are shown 6 weeks after 

 the last service. 



From this period it is impossible to determine with certainty 

 whether the mare is pregnant until the 6th or 7th month, when 

 one is enabled to form quite a decided opinion by certain signs, 

 such as a more placid temperament, a gradual increase in weight, 



