188 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



minutes. Should there be difficulty it is well to pull upon 

 the legs while she is straining. Generally the cteaning comes 

 away with the foal. Should the cleaning come away without 

 being broken there is danger of the colt being smothered, 

 so it is better for someone to be around during delivery to 

 break the cleaning, or after-birth, and save the foal from 

 smothering, should this be necessary. 



4. Navel String (Umbilical Cord). 



Should this cord not break immediately after delivery, 

 with a piece of shoe string tie it very tightly one inch from 

 the belly, then cut the navel cord an inch below where it is 

 tied on that side next to the mother. Leave the string on 

 till it drops off. This prevents bleeding. 



5. The Natural way for the Foal to Come. 



The foal should come with front quarters first, the front 

 feet and head coming together. 



II. — Difficulties Met With in Foaling. 

 Should delivery not take place in half an hour after the 

 water bag comes, it is safe to conclude that everything is not 

 as it should be. When conditions are natural a mare is 

 usually delivered in a few minutes. It is better to make an 

 examination and rectify whatever is found wrong at once, as 

 it is much easier done at this time than in a couple of hours, 

 and at the same time prompt action may save the life of the 

 mare as well as that of the colt. 



6. Neck of the Womb Closed. 



In some cases the labor pains come on but delivery is 

 prevented because of the neck of the womb being closed. In 

 many cases it is possible to open the entrance to the womb 

 by oiling the hand, inserting it into the passage and working 

 about the opening with the fingers. Should this be impos- 

 sible saturate a sponge with extract of belladonna and bathe 

 the neck of the womb. A few minutes after this operation 

 the opening may be effected easily. 



7. Dropsy of the Belly of the Foal. 



Should there be difficulty after the appearance of the 

 legs and head it is reasonable to conclude that there is some- 

 thing not right. Use gentle force by pulling. Should this not 

 be successful oil the hand and arm or lubricate well with 



