44 THE STOCK OWNEk's ADVISER. 



IMPERFORATE HYMEN. 



The hjmen is a circular nieinbraiie which closes the- outer 

 orifice of the vagina in the virgin. This membrane is ruptured 

 during the first act of copulation. JSTormally the hymen has a 

 small perforation at its upper anterior portion through which the 

 menstrual fluid exudes. 



The author has operated on fillies where the membrane was 

 not perforated, and the membrane so thickened and strong as to 

 render sexual intercourse impossible. The condition is seldom 

 discovered before puberty. When this period arrives the men- 

 strual discharge takes place. The animal suffers great irritation 

 from retention of the menstrual discharge. She will strain and 

 rub the parts against the stall continually. When straining vio- 

 lently the membrane can be seen without exploring the parts. 

 This condition, seldom seen should be entrusted to a skilled 

 veterinarian. 



TREATMENT OF THE MARE WHILE PREGNANT. 



The care and feeding of the mare while with foal is an im- 

 portant matter. She affects the foal either for good or evil 

 through all of her conditions during the period of gestation and 

 lactation. A life of duty is most conducive not only to the 

 health of the mare, but to that of the offspring as well. This 

 cannot be too strongly borne in mind. She should be protected 

 from everything likely to create disturbance of her nervous sys- 

 tem. A sudden gust of passion, fear, or excitement will tell upon 

 the offspring. And it must be remembered that pregnancy occa- 

 sions in some mares, in the early months, a very excitable state 

 of their nervous system, yet without disease. In consequence of 

 this continued irritation, the temper of such animals is some- 

 times rendered less gentle and patient than is consistent with 

 their usual character. Bear this in mind, and do not cuff them 

 about. The low, damp, dark stables of our cities, sometimes 

 under ground, are sources of great mischief to the pregnant 



