692 PA THOLOG Y OF PARTURITION. 



by this disease ; while those which are fed on oats have always been the 

 subjects affected, so far as he has been able to observe. 



There is the same diversity of opinion with regard to the influence of 

 parturition in the production of parturient laminitis. Tisserant has 

 noticed it occurring, in the great majority or cases, in Mares which had 

 aborted at a somewhat advanced period of gestation, or whose delivery 

 had been laborious or very difficult, from the wrong position of the foetus, 

 or from some maternal obstacle, Deneubourg, on the contrar}^, has 

 observed it following parturition effected in the most favorable conditions, 

 as well as after abortion or difficult labor ; with Mares which had expelled 

 the foetal membranes, as well as those which retained them ; but never 

 after a laborious parturition which required manoeuvres more or less pro- 

 tracted and cruel ; though he adds that his brother had witnessed a case 

 following laborious and artificial delivery. It may be noted that Gloag 

 gives an instance (^Veterinarian^ 185 1, p. 14) in which it followed an abor- 

 tion at three months. 



Obich attributes the disease to the action of cold upon the skin. 



Treatment, 



In the treatment of this disease, the rules observed in the ordinary 

 attacks of laminitis are usually applicable. In the majority of cases 

 the treatment need not, and should not, be heroic. If the fever runs 

 high, sedatives — as the tincture of aconite — should be given ; and it may 

 even be necessary to administer narcotics — as chloral or opium — if the 

 pain is very great. Some authorities recommend the abstraction of blood, 

 either generally or locally ; but we are decidedly averse to this treatment. 



The inflamed feet should be treated with the greatest care, and for sub- 

 duing the inflammation nothing can equal cold applications — either cold 

 water, cold poultices, or even ice. We prefer the continuous irrigation 

 system ; the water being applied to the feet by means of india-rubber 

 tubing, which carries the fluid direct from the water-tap to the foot. The 

 latter is thickly covered with pieces of thick flannel or tow, so as to diffuse 

 the water around it. The shoes should be previously removed, and the 

 wall of the hoof lowered, so as to allow the sole and frog to sustain as 

 much of the weight as possible. It is a good plan to litter the animal on 

 saw-dust. 



Warm applications should never, on any account, be employed for the 

 feet. 



When suppuration is apprehended or has set in, or even when the 

 effusion or exudation are serious, an outlet may be made between the sole 

 and wall, towards the toe of the hoof, for their escape. -Astringent and 

 antiseptic lotions or foot-baths may then be useful. At the commence- 

 ment of the disease, and sometimes at a later period, when it threatens to 

 become chronic, stimulating applications — even blisters — may be applied 

 with advantage to the limbs above the fetlocks. 



The diet should be light, and limited to mashes, grass, a small quantity 

 of good hay, and nitrated water or gruel as drink. The body should be 

 comfortably, if not warmly, clothed, and friction to^ the skin is often 

 beneficial. 



The foal should be allowed to remarin with the Mare, as its frequent 

 sucking is likely to hasten the return of the milk, which is, as has been 

 already remarked, a most favorable sign. 



If constipation is present, laxatives should be administered, and emol- 

 lient enemas are then, as well as at other times, most useful. 



