DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 165 



lar conical form is presented, and the process is rendered eas}-^ and 

 quick. DijEficulty and danger arise mainlj- from the act being- brought 

 on prematurely before the passages are sufficiently dilated, from nar- 

 rowing of the pelvic bones or other mechanical obstruction in the pas- 

 sages, from monstrous distortions or duplications in the fetus, or from 

 the tui'ning back of one of the members so that the elongated conical 

 or wedge-shaped outline is done away with. But prompt as is the 

 normal parturition in the mare, difficult and delayed parturitions are 

 surrounded by special dangers and require unusual precautions and 

 skill. From the proclivit}- of the mare to unhealth}'- inflammations of 

 the peritoneum and other abdominal organs?, penetrating- wounds of 

 the womb or vagina are liable to prove fatal. The contractions of the 

 womb and abdominal walls are so powerful as to exhaust and benumb 

 the arm of the assistant, and to endanger penetrating wounds of the 

 genital organs. By reason of the looser connection of the fetal mem- 

 branes with the womb, as compared with those of ruminants, the 

 violent throes early detach these membranes throughout their whole 

 extent, and the foal, being thus separated from the mother and thrown 

 on its own resources, dies at an early stage of any protracted parturi- 

 tion. The foal rarely survives four hours after the onset of parturient 

 throes. From the great length of the limbs and neck of the foal it is 

 extremel}- difficult to secure and bring up limb or head which has been 

 turned back when it should have been presented. When assistance 

 must bo rendered the operator should don a thick woolen undershirt 

 with the sleeves cut out at the shoulders. This protects the bod}'- and 

 leaves the whole arm free for manipulation. Before inserting the arm 

 it should be smeared with lard. This protects the skin against septic 

 infection, and favors the introduction of the hand and arm. The hand 

 sliould be inserted with the thumb and fingers drawn together like a 

 cone. Whether standing or lying, the mare should be turned with 

 head dov/nhill and hind parts raised as much as possible. The con- 

 tents of the abdomen gravitating forward leave much more room for 

 manipulation. Whatever part of the foal is presented (head, foot) 

 should be secured with a cord and running noose before it is pushed 

 back to search for the othCr missing parts. Even if a missing part is 

 reached no attempt should be made to bring it up during a labor pain. 

 Pinching the back will sometimes check the pains and allow the opera- 

 tor to secure and bring up the missing member. In intractable cases 

 a large dose of chloral hydrate (1 ounce in a quart of water) or the 

 inhalation of chloroform and air (equal proportions) to insensibility 

 ma}' secure a respite, during which the missing members may be 

 i-eplaced. If the waters have ])een discharged and the mucus dried up, 

 the genital passages and bod}- of the fetus should be lubricated with 

 lard or oil before an}- attempt at extraction is made. When the miss- 

 ing member has been brought up into position, and presentation has 



