232 Common Diseases of the Horse 



cut, or tied in this position, and again i in, farther away, and 

 cut between the knots. Others are emphatic that it is best left 

 to rupture of its own accord, and this will occur when either foal 

 or dam begin to move about. The rupture takes place in the 

 exact part that Nature intended it to do. Without going into 

 details of physiology and anatomy it is impossible to convey to 

 the lay reader a knowledge of the actions of the parts concerned; 

 but it may be taken as a fact, that without tying and with the 

 natural rupture, subject to proper antiseptic precautions, there 

 is no danger of bleeding or infection, and in the end a quicker 

 and more satisfactory result may be obtained. In particular, the 

 end attached to the belly dries up and drops off in two or three 

 days, so that the risk of infection, which is the chief danger, is 

 shortened. When the navel string is tied and cut it is impera- 

 tive that every antiseptic precaution be taken, a piece of soft, 

 white string must be thoroughly soaked in a 5 per cent car- 

 bolic acid or chinosol solution before being applied, the hands 

 well washed and disinfected, the navel string disinfected, and the 

 knife or scissors made antiseptic. It is from neglect of these 

 precautions that the great majority of cases of " navel ill " or 

 'joint evil" arise. In whatever manner the cord is divided, an 

 antiseptic powder must be immediately applied to the end and 

 repeated frequently. By so doing the chances of infection through 

 the navel are reduced to a minimum. An excellent dressing is 

 made of equal parts of boracic acid, tannin, and iodoform. 



When the foal attempts to rise it should still be left alone. 

 It will generally soon find its feet, and by instinct seek the teat 

 of the mother. If, however, it is unable to do so in an hour or 

 so, the mare may be fastened and assistance given. Sometimes 

 it is too weak to suck, in which case some milk may be drawn 

 from the mare into a warm saucer, or put into a feeding bottle 

 and given in this way until it attains the strength to suck. 

 Soon after having the first drink of mother's milk, prompt move- 

 ment of the bowels should be made; the evacuation is usually 

 black and abundant, and is generally stated to be caused by the 

 character of the early maternal supply. When constipation and 

 straining occur it is necessary to relieve it as quickly as possible, 

 and for this purpose enemas of warm soapy water or two table- 

 spoonfuls of glycerine to i pt. of water act well. They are much 

 better than giving castor oil or other laxative medicines; the latter 

 take too long to operate, and often induce further constipation 

 after having had their immediate effect. 



A very oldfashioned remedy, particularly in the north of 



