DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 859 



perished putrefaction does not set in unless the membranes 

 (water bags) have been ruptured and septic bacteria have 

 been admitted to the interior of the womb. In the latter 

 case a fetid decomposition advances rapidly and the mare 

 usually perishes from poisoning with the putrid matters 

 absorbed. 



At the natural period of parturition preparations are ap- 

 parently made for that act. The vulva swells and discharges 

 much mucus, the udder enlarges, the belly becomes more 

 pendant, and the animal strains more or less. No progress 

 is made, however; there is not even opening of the neck of 

 the womb, and after a time the symptoms subside. The 

 mare usually refuses the male, yet there are exceptions to 

 this rule. If the neck of the womb has been opened and 

 putrefying changes have set in in its contents the mare 

 loses appetite and condition, pines, discharges an offensive 

 matter from the generative passages, and dies of inflamma- 

 tion of the womb and putrid infection. In other cases there 

 is a slow wearing out of the strength and the mare finally 

 dies of exhaustion. 



The treatment is such as will facilitate the expulsion of 

 the foetus and its membranes and the subsequent washing out 

 of the womb with disinfectants. So long as the mouth of the 

 womb is closed time should be allowed for its natural dilata- 

 tion, but if this does not come about after a day or two of 

 straining the opening may be smeared with extract of bella- 

 donna, and the oiled hand, with the fingers and thumb drawn 

 into the form of a cone, may be inserted by slow oscillating 

 movements into the interior of the womb. The water bags 

 may now be ruptured, any mal presentation rectified (see 

 "Difficult Parturition") and delivery effected. After re- 

 moval of the membranes wash out the womb tirst with tepid 

 water and then with a solution of two ounces of borax in half 

 a gallon of water. 



This injection may have to be repeated if a discharge sets 

 in. The same course may be pursued even after prolonged 

 retention. If the soft parts of the foetus have been absorbed 

 and the bones only left these must be carefully sought for 

 and removed, and subsequent daily injections will be re- 



