STALLIONS, BROOD MARES AND FOALS. 175 



case more time may be allowed; in the second the foetus will 

 be required to be adjusted. To judge accurately of either 

 of these conditions the attendant must be an experienced 

 man and know the exact time when interference is necessary. 

 Very great harm is occasioned by premature and unneces- 

 sary meddling. He should make re-examinations from time 

 to time, and if increased room is but tardily provided he 

 must take care, by securing the parts presented, that the 

 foetal position does not become changed from a natural to a 

 malpresentation through the continued and violent throes of 

 the mare. Dilatation of the passage may be assisted by 

 gentle and well-applied traction upon those portions of the 

 foetus that are naturally presented. The causes of difficult 

 labor and the means to be adopted to overcome obstructions 

 to delivery, with the treatment of the patient after parturi- 

 tion, are so numerous and belong so intrinsically to the sci- 

 ence of veterinary surgery that they have no place here. 

 Whenever serious obstacles to delivery exist the aid of an 

 experienced veterinary obstetrician should be promptly 

 sought, and no violent tractile efforts employed until his 

 arrival; but if the membranes are ruptured, as they proba- 

 bly will be before it is considered necessary to obtain skilled 

 aid, it is wise to secure with cords the head or legs of the foal 

 when easily practicable. It sometimes happens, especially 

 with old and debilitated mares, that the act of parturition 

 becomes protracted from weakness alone. Such cases not 

 only demand the administration of powerful internal stimu- 

 lants, but require the employment of well-timed, gentle and 

 firm traction upon the foetus made to coincide with the throes 

 of the mare; spasmodic, jerking efforts, which do not cor- 

 respond with the parturient pains, in all cases do much harm 

 and are of little or no assistance to the act. 



After an easy labor strong mares require nothing but 

 attention to their comfort and ordinary wants and protection 

 from currents of cold air, but if the accouchement has been 

 prolonged and painful a stimulant should be immediately 

 given; debilitated mares under the last-named circumstance 

 require frequent alcoholic stimulants, nourishing gruel and 

 good nursing. 



