DISEASES PECULIAR TO BREEDING STOCK. 327 



avoid corn during the last six weeks. Keep constantly some 

 common salt placed within reach, in a separate small trough, 

 and do not mix it among the food. The quantity consumed 

 may safely be left to the animal's instinct, but access to good 

 drinking water at least thrice daily should be given. When 

 too early for grass, a roomy, well-littered box-stall, or com- 

 fortable, closed shed, should be allowed during the last two 

 months of pregnancy. Give gentle exercise daily, or liberty 

 out-doors during daytime when the weather is moderate and 

 dry. Accidents from company with other horses, by kick- 

 ing, etc., may be avoided by providing a small inclosed dry 

 yard adjacent to her shed or box-stall. 



(EDEMA DURING PREGNANCY. 



During the latter part of the period of gestation the mare 

 is subject to dropsical swelling, especially of ,the udder and 

 along the under surface of the chest and abdomen. Such 

 local accumulations, and consequent more or less stiffness, 

 generally disappear after foaling; but sometimes they are 

 apt to become quite extensive, and may call for treatment. 

 Such mares should never be kept tied up in a stall, but 

 should be given the same facilities and liberty as recom- 

 mended in the preceding paragraph, with access to common 

 salt, as stated. Friction by hand-rubbing or a stiff brush, 

 and the application of high wine or spirits of camphor, are 

 among the remedies employed in such cases. Laxative 

 remedies, as well as remedies to excite the kidneys to action, 

 are not safe to employ during the latter part of gestation, as 

 they are apt to produce abortion. Vegetable tonics, such as 

 powdered gentian root, may be given among food once or 

 twice a day during a few days to a week, in four to six- 

 drachm doses. 



SUPERIMPREGNATION. 



According to its nature, superimpregnation is divided 

 into two forms, technically termed superfcetation and super- 

 foecundation. Cases of the first form occur after one or 

 more sexual connections during the period of one and the 

 same heat, and the consequence is the production of twins 

 or triplets. The second form appears after coital connection 



