DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 351 



eral feeding. The recurrence of heat in the pregnant mare 

 is most likely to take place in hot weather. If heat merely 

 persists an undue length of time after service, or if it reap- 

 pears shortly after, in warm weather and in a comparatively 

 idle mare on good feeding, it is less significant, while the 

 persistent absence of heat under such conditions may be usu- 

 ally accepted as proof of conception. 



An unwonted gentleness and docility on the part of a pre- 

 viously irritable or vicious mare, and supervening on ser- 

 vice, is an excellent indication of pregnancy, the generative 

 instinct which caused the excitement having been satisfied. 



An increase of fat, with softness and flabbiness of muscle, 

 a loss of energy, indisposition for active work, a manifesta- 

 tion of laziness, indeed, and of fatigue early and easily in- 

 duced, when preceded by service, will usually imply concep- 

 tion. 



Enlargement of the abdomen, especially in its lower third, 

 with slight falling in beneath the loins and hollowness of the 

 back, are significant symptoms, though they may be entirely 

 absent. Swelling and firmness of the udder, with the smooth- 

 ing out of its wrinkles, is a suggestive sign, even though it 

 appears only at intervals during gestation. 



A steady increase in weight (one and one-half pounds 

 daily) about the fourth or fifth month is a useful indication 

 of pregnancy. So is a swollen and red or bluish-red appear- 

 ance of the vaginal mucous membrane. 



From the seventh or eighth month onward the foal may 

 be felt by the hand (palm or knuckles) pressed into the ab- 

 domen in front of the left stifle. The sudden push displaces 

 the foal toward the opposite side of the womb and as it floats 

 back its hard body is felt to strike against the hand. If the 

 pressure is maintained the movements of the live foal are 

 felt, and especially in the morning and after a drink of cold 

 water, or during feeding. A drink of cold water will often 

 stimulate the foetus to movements that may be seen by the 

 eye, but an excess of iced water may prove injurious, even to 

 the causing of abortion. Cold water dashed on the belly has 

 a similar effect on the foetus and equally endangers abortion. 



Examination of the uterus with the oiled hand introduced 



