136 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE. 



hand. In cases where it is not taken in time it ends up with 

 festering- of the bag. In this case the bag will continue to swell, 

 the milk dries up and the bag will be very sore; matter will form 

 in the bag- and it will come to a head. Treat by bathing with warm 

 water and vinegar and apply liniment and goose grease after- 

 wards. This will have a tendency to bring it to a head so it will 

 be fit to lance. The way to tell when it is fit to lance is to leel 

 around until you find a soft spot in the swelling, then open it with 

 a lance or sharp knife at the soft place so as to allow the matter 

 to escape. After this keep bathing with warm water and vinegar 

 lour or five times a day and use, instead of the liniment, the white 

 lotion. In severe cases of this kind it is best to take the foal 

 away for a while as the milk is not good, and is apt to sicken the 

 foal. 



SWELLING ALONG THE BELLY BEFORE FOALING (DROPSY). 



This swelling commences at the bag three or four weeks 

 before foaling and continues gradually swelling forwards until the 

 swelling extends out between the front legs, but the mare does 

 not seem at all sick, eats and seems as well as ever. 



Treatmsnt. — if the mare is used to being in the stable, turn 



her out and let her have lots of exercise every day and give the 



following powders 



Xitrate of Potasx or Saltpetre } pound. 



Sulphur ^ " 



'riound rientian Root ^ " 



Mix thoroughly together and give a teaspoonful twice a day 

 in her feed until she foals. 



This is not a serious disease, but it is well to look after it 

 before it gets too bad. It generally gets all right as soon as the 

 mare foals. 



MARES LOOSING THEIR FOALS (ABORTION). 



This is most often seen in mares before the sixth month of 

 being with foal, but may occur afte that. 



Causes. — From a slip; from dr- ^ving too heavy, or backing a 

 heavy load; or the smell or sight of o.ood will cause it. 



Symptoms. — The mare will be try restless, get up and down, 

 walk around until the labor pains come on, which soon causes the 

 water bag to come out and break, then the front legs and head of 

 the foal will appear, and she will soon be delivered of the foal. 



Treatment. — In case the foal should not be coming straight, 

 straiL'hten it and take it awav, then give the following : 



