193 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



16. Rupture of the Womb. 



This is usually a serious matter. 



Causes. — Rupture of the womb usually occurs during 

 labor because of violent straining or throwing herself heavily 

 to the ground or floor. 



Symptoms. — Sometimes before delivery the bowels hang 

 from behind and even drag upon the ground. They soon 

 become inflamed and symptoms very similar to those of 

 inflammation of the bowels manifest themselves. In other 

 cases the rupture is discovered when making an examination 

 of the foal in the womb. If rupture be suspected after 

 delivery, such may be ascertained by an examination with 

 the hand. The extent of rupture may be slight or serious, 

 and in cases where the bowels protrude from behind it is 

 better to destroy her, as nothing can be done to save her life. 



Should it be found, by examination after delivery, that 

 the womb is ruptured, the case is serious, yet there is a 

 possibility of recovery if the rupture be on the upper side. 



Treatment. — Do all possible to keep down inflammation 

 by the application of heat. Apply hot blankets and hot bags 

 of salt to the back and in some cases it is well to apply 

 mustard to the belly. Give 



Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 



Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 10 drops. 



Mix in a pint of luke warm water and give as a drench 

 every six hours until the mare is relieved. It is well to 

 change the salt every hour to keep up the heat. Should the 

 appetite be good feed soft feed containing flax seed to keep 

 the bowels loose. It is better to allow the wound to heal 

 naturally because by opening it and applying medicine more 

 harm than good is usually done. Should she be costive give 

 raw linseed oil in drenches of a pint and injections of warm 

 water containing a little castile soap, twice a day until the 

 bowels move freely. 



17. Rupture of the Passage. 



This, too, usually occurs at the time of delivery and may 

 be the result of being punctured by the legs of the foal 

 because of their not coming straight. It may be the result 

 of delivery of an extremely large colt. 



