234 Common Diseases of the Horse 



space allotted to this article to deal more than briefly with a few 

 of the common abnormalities. 



Retention of the Afterbirth 



This is commonly spoken of as the mare not having "cleansed", 

 and is due to the membranes which contained the foal not having 

 been expelled from the foal bed. As a rule these membranes 

 come away very shortly after the foal is delivered, particularly if 

 the mare has gone her full time, but should they not do so, it 

 is essential that they be removed quickly. Some breeders, how 

 ever, object to their removal, and insist that it is better to wait 

 until they drop of their own accord. This course is most dan- 

 gerous, and although it is quite possible for them to remain for 

 a day, or even more, without harm ensuing, the risk of womb 

 trouble by septic infection is very great. The practice of to-day 

 demands that they be taken away within an hour or two of 

 birth, and this should only be done by a person of experience, 

 as it is very important that they be removed entirely^ for should 

 a small piece be left attached to the womb, it will constitute a 

 dangerous source of disease. It is necessary, then, to see that the 

 foal bed is complete after removal. The main object throughout 

 is to prevent infection of the womb, and with this object in view 

 it is better, if circumstances allow, not to insert the hand into 

 this organ, but to pull away the hangmg mass by gentle trac- 

 tion, starting at the borders and gradually detaching it. Should 

 a piece unfortunately become torn off and left inside, it will then 

 be necessary to syringe abundantly and thoroughly the womb 

 and passages, with a solution of i per cent carbolic acid, or 

 15 gr. tablet of chinosol in 2 qt. of water. Thoroughly 

 cleanse and disinfect the hand, and oil it with 2 per cent car- 

 bolic oil, before it is inserted and the attached piece removed. 

 The womb must again be well syringed afterwards, when as a 

 rule nothing further is required, although should there be any 

 considerable discharge the syringing may be repeated when 

 necessary. 



In cases where the membranes, or pieces of them, have been 

 retained too long, and infection has occurred, the womb becomes 

 partially filled with a putrid, thick liquid, which comes from the 

 genital passages as a stinking reddish-brown discharge. This con- 

 dition sig lifies that there is inflammation of the lining membrane 

 of the womb, and this will as a rule be speedily followed or ac- 

 companied by inflammation of the feet. It is most serious, and 



