372 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



IMPACTION OF THE RECTUM WITH FAECES. 



In some animals, with more or less paralysis or weakness 

 of the tail and rectum, the rectum may become so impacted 

 with solid faeces that the mare is unable to discharge them, 

 and the accumulation both by reason of the mechanical 

 obstruction and the pain caused by pressure upon it will im- 

 pel the animal to cut short all labor pains. The rounded 

 swelling- surrounding the anus will at once suggest the con- 

 dition, when the obstruction may be removed by the well- 

 oiled or soaped hand. 



SPASM OF THE NECK OF THE WOMB. 



This occurs in the mare of specially excitable tempera- 

 ment, or under particular causes of irritation, local or gen- 

 eral. Labor pains, though continuing for some time, produce 

 no dilatation of the neck of the womb, which will be found 

 firmly closed so as to admit but one or two fingers, and this, 

 although the projection at the mouth of the womb may have 

 been entirely effaced, so that a simple round opening is left 

 with rigid margins. 



The simplest treatment consists in smearing this part with 

 solid extract of belladonna, and after an interval inserting 

 the hand with fingers and thumb drawn into the form of a 

 cone, rupturing the membranes and bringing the foetus into 

 position for extraction, as advised under "Prolonged Reten- 

 tion of the Foetus." Another mode is to insert through the 

 neck of the womb an ovoid caoutchouc bag, empty, and fur- 

 nished with an elastic tube twelve feet long. Carry the free 

 end of this tube upward to a height of eight, ten or twelve 

 feet, insert a filler into it, and proceed to distend the bag 

 with tepid or warm water. 



FIBROUS BANDS CONSTRICTING OR CROSSING THE NECK OF 

 THE WOMB. 



These occurring as the result of disease have been several 

 times observed in the mare. They may exist in the cavity 

 of the abdomen and compress and obstruct the neck of the 

 womb, or they may extend from side to side of the vagina 

 across and just behind the neck of the womb. In the latter 



