DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 161 



ing changes have set in in its contents, the mare loses appetite and 

 condition, pines, discharges an offensive matter from the generative 

 passages, and dies of inflammation of the womb and putrid infection. 

 In other cases there is a slow wearing out of the strength, and th& 

 mare finally dies of exhaustion. 



The treatment is such as Avill facilitate the expulsion of the fetus 

 and its membranes and the subsequent washing out of the womb 

 with disinfectants. So long as the mouth of the womb is closed time 

 should be allowed for its natural dilatation, but if this does not come 

 about after a day or two of straining, the opening may be smeared 

 with extract of belladonna, and the oiled hand, with the fingers and 

 thumb drpvwn into the form of a cone, may be inserted by slow oscil- 

 lating movements into the interior of the womb. The water bags 

 may now be ruptured, an}' malpresentation rectified (see "Difficult 

 parturition''), and deliver}^ effected. After removal of the mem- 

 branes wash out the womb first with tepid water, and then vfith o. 

 solution of 2 ounces of borax in half a gallon of water. 



This injection maj' have to be repeated if a discharge sets in. The 

 same course maj^ be pursued even after prolonged retention. If the 

 soft parts of the fetus have been absorbed and the bones only left, 

 these must be carefully sought for and removed, and subsequent daily 

 injections will be required for some time. In such cases, too, a course 

 of iron tonics (sulphate of iron, 2 drams, daily) will be highly beneficial 

 in restoring health and vigor. 



ABORTION. 



Abortion is, strictly speaking, the expulsion of the impregnated 

 ovum at any period from the date of impregnation until the foal can 

 survive out of the womb. If the foal is advanced enough to live it is 

 2)rem.ature parturitioii, and in the mare this ma}' occur as early as the 

 tenth month (three hundredth day). 



The mare may abort by reason of almost any cause that very pro- 

 foundly disturbs the system. Hence very violent inflammations of 

 in.portant internal organs (bowels, kidneys, bladder, lungs) may 

 induce abortion. Profuse diarrhea, whether occurring from the reck- 

 le ?s use of purgatives, the consumption of irritants in the food, or a 

 simple indigestion, is an effective cause. No less so is acute indiges- 

 tion with evolution of gas in the intestines (bloating). The presence 

 of stone in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra may induce sa 

 much sympathetic disorder in the womb as to induce abortion. In 

 exceptional cases wherein mares come in heat during gestation service 

 by the stallion may cause abortion. Blows or pressure on the abdo- 

 men, rapid driving or riding of the pregnant mare, especially if she 

 is soft and out of condition from idleness, the brutal use of the spur 

 or whip, and the jolting and straining of travel by rail or boat are 

 14884—03 11 



