MIDWIFERY. 271 



like a pig to liiJe all his defects is fit for nothing. He should get 

 natural food and plenty of exercise. 



GESTATION. 



GGl. — The period of gestation is said to vary from forty to 

 fiftv-two weeks, but we have never known such extreme variations. 

 The usual period is about forty -seven -weeks, Kace horses, for 

 well known reasons, should be foaled in -January, other horses 

 about April. 



GG2. — The brood mare should not Ijc fat, nor unnaturally 

 fed in any wav. She is much better to work in careful hands 

 up to the day of foaling. The work may even be hard, provided 

 that it is regular, and not fitful or violent. The usual recom- 

 mendation, that she should be shut up to rest for the last six 

 weeks is both dangerous and mischievous. 



A mare that is in good health and heart, but with no fat 

 about her, and that has worked up to the hour of foaling, will 

 foal easily, and will suckle her foal far better than a mare that 

 has been left idle and fat. 



PARTURITION. 



CG3. — More than ninety-nine mares out of a liundred get 

 through this trial without any help or any mishap. Fat is a 

 great cause of suffering and danger to any female at this time, 

 but the mare is far less liable to anything wrong than either the 

 cow or the e^\e, but in the few cases in which irregularities do 

 occur, she is more difficult to assist, and suffers more, as her labour 

 throes are so violent. 



G(;4. — Like other domestic animals the foal should come 

 head first, with the fore legs close under it. Never interfere 

 unless long delay, or an evident mis-presentation renders it 

 necessary. If the head is bent round, or if either of the forelegs 

 is out of place, push the fetus back when the labour pains are not 

 on, and quietly introduce the oiled hand to search for it, and put 

 it right. Bring them to their right position, but leave the mare 

 to expel the foal herself if possible. If any assistance is found 



