DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 193 



Symptoms. — In some cases, when the mare tries to foal 

 herself, you find the legs out — one out the natural passage, 

 while the other is out through the anus. In other cases, after 

 the mare has foaled and is apparently all right, you first 

 notice the manure coming out through the vulva instead of 

 through its natural passage. Oil the hand and arm, pass 

 them into the vulva and examine the passage thoroughly; if 

 ruptured there will be a tear somewhere in the walls of the 

 passage, generally on the upper side between it and the 

 rectum. 



Treatment. — Should the puncture of the walls be caused 

 by a leg of the foal, oil the hand and arm, force the legs back 

 into the womb and then bring them forward properly. Keep 

 her quiet, give soft feed containing flaxseed and if in the 

 spring of the year allow her to feed upon grass. Should she 

 be costive, give small doses of raw linseed oil, half a pint at a 

 time just sufficient to keep the bowels loose. Should there 

 be indications of fever or swelling behind and about the parts 

 put an ounce or four dessertspoonfuls of laudanum' in each 

 dose of the oil. Do not attempt to stitch up the wound, 

 simply inject, into the passage, four quarts of warm water 

 and soap containing twenty drops of carbolic acid. This 

 flows down through the rupture and has a cleansing and 

 healing effect. Repeat the injections twice a day. It may be 

 added that it is much better to allow nature to do the work 

 than to depend upon medicine in cases of this nature. 



18. Inflammation of the Womb (Metritis). 



Metritis is an inflammation of the substance of the womb. 



Causes. — It is the result of difficult cases of foaling, when 

 a great deal of force is used, exposure lying on the damp 

 ground, or getting a chill while warm, after delivery. 



Symptoms. — It usually occurs three or four days after 

 delivery. There is uneasiness, pain, and sometimes straining, 

 and in straining sometimes a dark red fluid will pass from 

 her. She lies down, moans and looks around at her flanks. 

 The pulse is quick and wiry; the ears and legs are first hot 

 and then cold. Cold sweat appears around her sides and 

 flanks. The vulva is swollen, and she passes urine or water 

 in small quantities. 



