DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 187 



quick. Difficulty and danger arise mainly from the act being hrouglit 

 on prematurely before the passages are sufficiently dilated, from nar- 

 rowing of the pelvic bones or other mechanical obstruction in the 

 passages, from monstrous distortions or dui)licati()ns in the fetus, 

 or from the turning back of one t)f the members so that the elongated 

 conical or wedge-shaped outline is done away with. Prompt as is the 

 noinial parturition in the mare, however, difficult and delayed ])ar- 

 turitiuns are surrounded by s[)ccial dangers and recjuire unusual 

 precautions and skill. From the proclivity of the mare to unhealthy 

 inflammations of the peritoneum and other abdominal organs, pene- 

 trating wounds of the womb or vagina are liable to prove fatal. 

 The contractions of the womb and abdominal walls are so powerful 

 as to exhaust and benmnb the arm of the assistant and to endanger 

 penetrating wounds of the genital organs. By reason of the looser 

 connection of the fetal membranes with the womb, as compared with 

 those of ruminants, the violent throes early detach these membranes 

 throughout their whole extent, and the foal, being thus separated 

 from the mother and thrown on its own resources, dies at an early 

 stage of any protracted parturition. The foal rarely survives four 

 hours after the onset of parturient throes. From the great length 

 of the limbs and neck of the foal it is extremely difficult to secure 

 and bring up limb or head which has been turned back when it 

 should have been presented. When assistance must be rendered, 

 the operator should don a thick woolen undershirt with the sleeves 

 cut out at the shoulders. This protects the body and leaves the whole 

 arm free for manipulation. Before inserting the arm it should be 

 smeared with lard. This protects the skin against septic infection 

 and favors the introduction of the hand and arm. The hand should 

 be inserted with the thumb and fingers drawn together like a cone. 

 Whether standing or lying, the mare should be turned with head 

 downhill and hind parts raised as much as possilde. The contents 

 of the abd(jmen gra\itating forward leave much more room for 

 manipulation. Whatever part of the foal is presented (head, foot) 

 should be secured with a cord and running noose before it is pushed 

 back to search for tiie other missing paits. Even if a mi.ssing part 

 is reached, no attempt should be made to bring it up during a labor 

 pain. Pinching the back will sometimes check the ]>ains and allow 

 the operat<»r to secure and bring up the missing member. In inti-act- 

 able cases a large dose of chloral hydrate (1 ounce in a (piart of 

 water) or tlie inhalation of chlorofoini aiul air (equal pro|)orti(»ns) 

 to insensibility may secure a respite, during which the missing 

 membei-s may be replaced. If the waters have been discharged and 

 the mucus dried up, the g«'nital passages and body of the fetus 

 should be lubricated with lard or oil In'fore any attemjH at extrac- 

 tion is made. AXHien the missing member has been brought up into 



