DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 365 



contractions of the womb and abdominal walls are so power- 

 ful as to exhaust and banumb the arm of the assistant and to 

 endanger penetrating wounds of the genital organs. By 

 reason of the looser connection of the foetal membranes 

 with the womb, as compared with those of ruminants, the 

 violent throes early detach these membranes throughout 

 their whole extent, and the foal, being thus separated from 

 the mother and thrown on its own resources, dies at an early 

 stage of any protracted parturition. The foal rarely sur- 

 vives four hours after the onset of parturient throes. From 

 the great length of the limbs and neck of the foal it is ex- 

 tremely difficult to secure and bring up limb or head which 

 has been turned back when it should have been presented. 

 When assistance must be rendered the operator should don 

 a thick woolen undershirt with the sleeves cut out at the 

 shoulders. This protects the body and leaves the whole arm 

 free for manipulation. Before inserting the arm it should 

 be smeared with lard. This protects the skin against septic 

 infection and favors the introduction of the hand and arm. 

 The hand should be inserted with the thumb and fingers 

 drawn together like a cone. Whether standing or lying the 

 mare should be turned with head down hill and hind parts 

 raised as much as possible. The contents of the abdomen 

 gravitating forward leave much more room for manipula- 

 tion. Whatever part of the foal is presented (head, foot) 

 should be secured with a cord and running noosa before it is 

 pushed back to search for the other missing parts. Ev r en if 

 a missing part is reached no attempt should be made to bring 

 it up during a labor pain. Pinclmng the back will sometimes 

 check the pains and allow the operator to secure and bring 

 up the missing member. In intractable cases a large dose 

 of chloral hydrate (one ounce in a quart of water) or the in- 

 halation of chloroform and air (equal proportions) to insensi- 

 bility may secure a respite, during which the missing mem- 

 bers may bs replaced. If the waters have been discharged 

 and the mucus dried up the genital passages and the body 

 of the foetus should be lubricated with lard or oil before any 

 attempt at extraction is made. When the missing member 

 has been brought up into position, and presentation has been 



