158 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



he must remember that great harm is often done by what 

 Reynolds correctly designates "premature and unnecessary 

 meddling." He should make re-examinations from time to 

 time, and if increased room is but tardily provided, he must 

 take care, by securing the parts presented, that the foetal 

 position does not become changed from a natural to a mal- 

 presentation, through the continued and violent throes of the 

 mare. Dilatation of the passage may be assisted by gentle and 

 well-applied traction upon those portions of the foetus that are 

 naturally presented. 



But the causes of difficult labour, and the means to be 

 adopted to overcome obstructions to delivery, with the treat- 

 ment of the patient after parturition, are so numerous, and 

 belong so intrinsically to the science of veterinary surgery, that 

 they have no place here. Whenever serious obstacles to de- 

 livery exist, the aid of an experienced veterinary obstetrician 

 should be promptly sought, and no violent tractile efforts made 

 until his arrival ; but if the membranes are ruptured, as they 

 probably will be before it is considered necessary to obtain 

 skilled aid, it is wise to secure with cords the head or legs of 

 the foal when easily practicable.* 



To deliver a large powerful mare, frantic with distress and 

 pain, is indeed a labour of Hercules for the most experienced. 



When parturition is delayed through weakness of the mare, 

 assistance is required in the form of stimulants such as brandy 

 in gruel, with properly-timed pulling of the foetus when the 

 parturient spasm comes on. 



Under ordinary circumstances, nothing more than cleanli- 

 ness, good foods and comfort, are required for the mare ; if, 

 however, there is exhaustion present, gruel to which two or 

 three ounces of brandy are added may be administered once or 

 oftener, as the case may demand. When the mare, through 



* See Fleming's "Veterinary Obstetrics" for full information on 

 this subject. 



