MANAGEMENT OF BROOD MARES. 85 



some principle evolved during the retention of 

 the colostrum in the udder, which sets up a mild 

 form of indigestion and so induces the peristal- 

 tic action of the bowels which removes the me- 

 conium. 



If the foal gets his first hold on the maternal 

 dug within an hour from birth, that will be all 

 right. Usually the meconium will pass away 

 easily within five or six hours, but sometimes it 

 will not. If it does not come within twenty- 

 four hours and the foal presents a droopy, list- 

 less appearance, eye not bright, ears lopped 

 over, then the first thing to be done is to give 

 him two ounces of castor oil. In five hours more 

 relief will usually have been gained and the ap- 

 pearance of the youngster will change greatly 

 for the better. Peristaltic action will be caused 

 and the fecal matter will be removed. At the 

 time of administering the castor oil give also an 

 injection of water at blood heat and a little 

 glycerine — a teaspoonful of glycerine and 

 enough of the warm water to make two ounces— 

 not more. Inject this gently into the rectum 

 with a common two-ounce hard rubber syringe 

 and go slow. This will lubricate the passage 

 and induce the foal to endeavor to pass the fecal 

 matter. The meconium is in such cases a yel- 

 lowish, rather hard, waxy substance. If given 

 as directed the injection cannot do any harm 

 and may be repeated every hour. 



There is, of course, no digestive action in the 



