to avoid observation, renders the act one that is rarely seen by the 

 attendants. The navel string, which connects the foal to the mem- 

 branes, is ruptured when the fetus falls to the ground, or when the 

 mare rises, if she has been down, and the membranes are expelled 

 a few minutes later. 



NATURAL PRESENTATION. 



When there is a single foal, the common and desirable presen- 

 tation is with the fore feet first, the nose between the knees, and 

 with the front of the hoofs and knees and the forehead directed 

 upward toward the anus, tail, and croup. In this way the natural 

 curvature of the body of the fetus corresponds to the curve of the 

 womb and genital passages, and particularly of the bony pelvis, and 

 the foal passes with much greater ease than if it were placed with 

 its back downward toward the udder. When there is a twin birth 

 the second foal usually comes with its hind feet first, and the backs 

 of the legs, the points of the hocks, and the tail and croup are 

 turned upward toward the anus and tail of the mare. In this way, 

 even with a posterior presentation, the curvature of the body of the 

 foal still corresponds to that of the passages, and its expulsion may 

 be quite as easy as in anterior presentation. 



PREMATURE LABOR PAINS. 



These may be brought on by any violent exertion, use under 

 the saddle, or in heavy draft, or in rapid paces, or in travel by rail 

 or sea, blows, kicks, crushing by other animals in a doorway or 

 gate. Excessive action of purgative, or of agents that irritate the 

 bowels or kidneys, like arsenic, pans green, all caustic salts and 

 acids, is equally injurious. Finally, the ingestion of agents that 

 stimulate the action of the gravid womb may bring on labor pains 

 prematurely. 



Besides the knowledge that parturition is not yet due, there 

 will be less enlargement, redness, and swelling of the vulva, less 

 mucous discharge, less filling of the udder, and less appearances of 

 wax and probably none of the milk from the ends of the teats. The 

 oiled hand introduced into the vulva wall not enter with the ease 

 usual at full term, and the neck of the womb will be felt not only 

 closed, but with its projecting papillae, through which it is perfo- 

 rated, not yet flattened down and effaced, as at full term. The 

 symptoms are indeed those of threatened abortion, but at such an 

 advanced stage of gestation as is compatible with the survival of the 

 offspring. 



Treatment. The treatment consists in the separation of the 

 mare from all other animals in a quiet, dark, secluded place, and 

 the free use of antispasmodics and anodynes. Opium in dram doses 

 every two hours, or laudanum in ounce doses at similar intervals, 

 will often suffice. When the more urgent symptoms have subsided 

 these doses may 'be repeated thrice a day till all excitement passes 

 off or until the passages have become relaxed and prepared for 

 parturition. Should parturition become inevitable, it may be 

 favored and any necessary assistance furnished. 



