518 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



three days ; and the cat, on an average, eight weeks. The 

 mare and cow come in heat every four or five weeks, and 

 remain in heat from two to four days at a time. 



Abdominal Foetation. — The foetus is sometimes developed 

 outside of the uterus, through the ovum dropping down 

 into the abdominal cavity in consequence of the fimbriated 

 extremity of the Fallopian tube failing to grasp it. This 

 condition may terminate in death of the parent as the foetus 

 increases in size. It invariably terminates in death of the 

 foetus which may become dried up and remain in its un- 

 natural position until death of the parent from some other 

 cause. 



Superfcetation. — A mare having been served by a stallion 

 may occasionally, in the course of four or five weeks, mani- 

 fest a desire for a second visit from the male ; is again 

 served, and conceives both times. This is known as super- 

 fcetation. Such a case has been recorded by Mr. G. W. 

 Simpson, of Mackinaw, Michigan ; the animal in question, 

 a mare, giving birth to a horse colt and a mule colt, both 

 dead. The mare had been covered by a jack and subse- 

 quently by a horse. 



SIGNS OF PREGNANCY. 



The practitioner is occasionally called upon to give an 

 opinion as to the pregnancy, or non- pregnancy, of an 

 animal, and consequently should familiarize himself with 

 the various indications which tend to prove the absence, 

 or presence, of this condition. As a rule, when the mare 

 conceives, heat, or the desire for the male, is no longer 

 observable, and, on being led to the horse, she not only 

 refuses to receive his caresses, but assumes the offensive, 

 viciously striking and biting at him until led away. 

 Soon the coat becomes sleeker, and the mare becomes 

 quieter in disposition. This change is usually well 



