374 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



position they may be felt and quickly remedied by cut- 

 ting them across. In the abdomen they can only be reached 

 by incision, and two alternatives are presented: (1) To per- 

 form embryotomy and extract the foetus piecemeal; and (2) 

 to make an incision into the abdomen and extract by the 

 Caesarian operation, or simply to cut the constricting band 

 and attempt delivery by the usual channel. 



FIBROUS CONSTRICTION OF VAGINA OR VULVA. 



This is probably always the result of direct mechanical 

 injury and the formation of rigid cicatrices which fail to di- 

 late with the remainder of the passages at the approach of 

 parturition. The presentation of the foetus in the natural 

 way and the occurrence of successive and active labor pains 

 without any favorable result will direct attention to the rigid 

 and unyielding cicatrices, which may be incised at one, two 

 or more points to a depth of half an inch or more, after which 

 the natural expulsive efforts will usually prove effective. The 

 resulting wounds may be washed frequently with a solution 

 of one part of carbolic acid to 50 parts of water, or of 1 part 

 of mercuric chloride to 500 parts of water. 



FOETUS ADHERENT TO THE WALLS OF TI1E WOMB. 



In inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the cavity 

 of the womb and implicating the foetal membranes the re- 

 sulting embryonic tissue sometimes establishes a medium of 

 direct continuity between the womb and foetal membranes; 

 the blood vessels of the one communicate freely with those 

 of the other and the fibers of the one are prolonged into the 

 other. This causes retention of the membranes after birth 

 and a special risk of bleeding from the womb and of septic 

 poisoning. In exceptional cases the adhesion is more exten- 

 sive and binds a portion of the body of the foal firmly to the 

 womb, In such cases it has repeatedly been found impossible 

 to extract the foal until such adhesions were broken down. 

 If they can be reached with the hand and recognized they 

 may be torn through with the tingers or with a blunt hook, 

 after which delivery may be attempted with hope of success. 



