Common Diseases of the Horse 235 



if not very soon relieved death will ensue. Some risk is also 

 run by the operator himself by inserting his hand and arm 

 into the decomposing fluids, as they are highly infectious, and 

 blood poisoning must be guarded against by thoroughly syring- 

 ing out the parts before doing so. In any case where there 

 is an increasing odorous discharge from the genital passages 

 after the first day, veterinary advice should at once be sought. 



Inflammation of the Womb 



This condition occurs from three to ten days after foaling. 

 The chief causes are retention of the afterbirth; injury to the 

 womb causing wounds; infection from dirty hands or instruments 

 introduced during foaling; the presence of a dead, decomposing 

 foetus; chemical irritation from syringing with too strong or 

 caustic liquids; want of sanitary precautions, such as a dirty 

 foaling-box, or want of cleanliness in the attendants at foaling 

 time; and lastly, cold, which no doubt lowers the general vitality, 

 and does not enable the animal to resist disease as she would 

 normally. There are several forms of the disease, but as the 

 varieties would not be intelligible to the lay reader, they may 

 be discussed under one heading. 



Symptoms. — These are stiffness of movement, shivering, staring 

 coat, loss of appetite, the milk is diminished, rise of temperature, 

 increased pulse, blowing, in which the respirations are shallow, 

 infection of the mucous membranes; in fact, all the signs of fever 

 are exhibited. The characteristic symptoms are a discharge from 

 the vaginal passage, which at first is usually thin and pale pink in 

 eolour; in the later stages it becomes thicker, darker, and evil 

 smelling. The genital organs are swollen and inflamed, and pres- 

 sure across the loins causes pain. Very frequently the mare will 

 not He down; if she does it may be considered favourable. An 

 examination of the womb, through the vaginal passage by hand, 

 causes groaning and pain, and reveals a thickened and enlarged 

 organ partially filled with a stinking fluid. Fever in the feet very 

 commonly accompanies this disease. In the last stages the swollen 

 genital organs become cold and clammy, the discharge is most 

 obnoxious, the temperature falls, and death is usually preceded by 

 convulsions. 



Treatment. — Prevention should always be aimed for, and foaling 

 carried out under strictly antiseptic and sanitary conditions. With 

 these precautions it will be a very rare disease. When it occurs, 

 the veterinary surgeon should be summoned at the earliest symptom, 



