DISEASES OF THE HOR!^. 173 



GENERAL DROPSY OF THE FETUS. 



In this case the tissues generally are distended with liquid, and the 

 skin is found at all points tense and rounded, and pitting on pressure 

 with the fingers. In some such cases delivery may be effected after 

 the skin has been punctured at narrow intervals to allow the escape 

 of the fluid and then liberally smeared with fresh lard. More com- 

 nionh', however, it can not be reached at all points to be so punctured 

 nor sutficientl}^ reduced to be extracted whole, and resort must be had 

 to embryotomy. 



SWELLING OF THE FETUS WITH GAS, OR EMPHYSEMA. 



This has been described as occurring in a living fetus, but I have 

 onl}^ met with it in the dead and decomposing foal, after futile efforts 

 have been made for several days to effect deliveiy. These cases are 

 veiy difficult ones, as the foal is inflated to such an extent that it is 

 impossible to advance it into the passages, and the skin of the fetus 

 and the walls of the womb and vagina have become so dry that it is 

 impracticable to cause the one to glide on the other. The hair comes 

 off any part that may be seized, and the case is rendered the more 

 offensive and dangerous by the very fetid liquids and gases. The only 

 resort is embryotomy, b}^ which 1 have succeeded in saving a valuable 

 mare that had carried a colt in this condition for four da3"s. 



CONTRACTIONS OF MUSCLES. 



The foal is not aiwa3\s developed symmetricalh^, but certain groups 

 of uniscles are liable to remain short or to shorten because of persist- 

 ent spasmodic contraction, so that even the bones become distorted and 

 twisted. This is most common in the neck. The bones of this part 

 and even of the face are drawn to one side and shortened, the head 

 being held firmh* to the flank and the jaws being twisted to the right 

 or left. In other cases the flexor muscles of the fore limbs are con- 

 tracted so that these members are strongly bent at the knee. In 

 neither of these cases can the distorted part be extended and straight- 

 ened, so that body or limbs must necessarily present double, and 

 natural delivery is rendered impossible. The bent neck may some- 

 times ))e straightened after the muscles have been cut on the side to 

 which it is turned, and the bent limbs after the tendons on the back of 

 the shank bone have been cut across. Failing to accomplish this, the 

 next resort is embr3"otom3^ 



TUMORS OF THE FETUS, OR INCLOSED OVUM. 



Tumors or diseased growths may form on any part of the foal, 

 internal or external, and by their size impede or hinder parturition. 



