THE HOKSE 263 



The i)urpose is to give the foal all that it will drink, and to feed 

 so often that it will not require a large quantity at a time. 



Common disorders of the young foal. — It sometimes happens 

 that the new-born foal cannot breathe. In such a case measures 

 must be taken quickly to establish the function of respiration by 

 blowing violently up the nostrils and into the mouth, and by 

 briskly rubbing the body. 



Constipation. — The young foal frequently suffers from consti- 

 pation of the bowels, especially if the mare has not been in good 

 health during the latter periods of pregnancy. Sometimes the 

 first milk of the dam Avill not agree with the young foal, or 

 through weakness the foal may not have obtained a good draft. 

 AVhatever the cause, if the digestive tract has not been cleaned 

 of its contents within twenty-four hours and if the foal presents 

 a listless appearance, with eyes dull and ears drooping, it is 

 necessary to stimulate action of the bowels. Ordinarily the 

 bowels will be stimulated to action by the administering of two 

 ounces of olive oil or castor oil, and by an injection of warm 

 water into the bowels. The water should be at blood heat and 

 should have added to it a teaspoonful of glycerin and enough 

 warm water to make four or five ounces • — but no more, for only 

 a small quantity is needed. This mixture should be injected 

 gently into the rectum with an ordinary two-ounce, hard-rubber 

 syringe. Care must be taken not to rupture the tender mem- 

 brane. This injection will lubricate the passage and induce the 

 foal to endeavor to pass the fecal matter, which is a ^^ellowdsh, 

 rather hard, waxy substance. If given as directed, the injection 

 can do no harm and may be repeated every hour. 



Diarrhaa. — This disease is rather prevalent among suckling 

 animals and is often fatal. Although less subject to the disease 

 than calves are, foals often die from it within a short period of 

 time after birth. The causes are not certainly known. Ordi- 

 narily it is attributed to changes of an unknown character that 

 take place in the composition of the milk. 



Rich foods given to the mare may stimulate the flow of milk 

 to such an extent that, if the foal is permitted to take all, digest- 

 ive disorders and diarrhoea Avill follow. In early spring when 

 the mare is pasturing on a rank growth of succulent grass, a 

 similar condition is likely to result. For the same reason, a cold, 

 damp bed or exposure to cold rainstorms is to be avoided. While 

 a passing shower, even if cold, may do no harm, prolonged ex- 

 posure to rain and to a low temperature are likely to prove fatal 

 to a new-born foal. Confinement in close buildings is objection- 



