238 Common Diseases of the Horse 



Inflammation of the Udder 



This is a comparatively rare disease in the mare. 



Causes. — An over-abundant supply of milk prior to, or after 

 foaling (it might be called over-stocking), lying on cold, wet, or 

 hard ground, injuries to, and obstruction in the teats. 



Symptoms. — Swelling and enlargement of the udder, in which 

 the skin is tense and shining, and alteration in the milk, which, on 

 being drawn, will be found clotted and blood-stained. There is also 

 pain. 



Treatment. — The udder requires to be gently stripped several 

 times a day, so that it may be kept as empty as possible. The 

 swelling may be reduced by the continued application of hot water, 

 regulating the heat by the bare elbow of the attendant. Poppy 

 heads boiled in the water also greatly assist in relieving the pain. 

 The more hot applications are persisted in the quicker will be the 

 recovery. They should be continual; but if this is not possible 

 three or four times a day, for no less than an hour at a time, should 

 be the least allowed. The udder may be afterwards dried, and 

 a little arnica and opium lotion gently applied (i oz. of each of the 

 tinctures to i pt. of water). Sometimes an abscess may form in 

 the gland, in which case every effort must be made to bring it to a 

 head as soon as possible. The hot water will help as much as any- 

 thing. When a wound occurs mortification may follow; and it is 

 very essential whenever the skin is ruptured to practise strict 

 hygiene. For this purpose the loose box must be kept scrupulously 

 clean, the floor disinfected, and the animal not allowed to lie down. 



Haemorrhage of the Womb 



In the human subject this is known as flooding. It is not com- 

 mon in the mare, and is due to want of contraction of the womb, or 

 laceration of its walls. The latter is often caused by a violent or 

 unskilful removal of the foetal membranes. 



Symptoms. — One might expect always to find an escape of 

 blood from the vaginal passage, but this is not constant. An 

 enormous quantity can be retained by the dilated womb, and the 

 first symptoms may be trembling, anxiety, a feeble pulse, pallid 

 membranes, coldness of the body and extremities, and finally 

 staggering and death by convulsions. 



Treatment. — The speedy arrest of the escaping blood by every 

 possible means. Cold water across the loins and cold injections 

 into the womb. The injections must be antiseptic, and for this 



