Ma7iageme7it of Normal Parturition 549 



have not had occasion to observe any such necessity. A living 

 foal cannot be born in the chorion, because it would necessarily 

 die from asphyxia before it could possibly be expelled. It would 

 then be useless to open the chorion. 



The expulsion of an aborted fetus in all its membranes is not 

 rare, but the expulsion of a full-sized dead fetus enclosed within 

 the chorion is improbable, if not impossible. Should such ex- 

 pulsion be threatened, and the chorion protrude into the vulva, 

 it should be opened to allow the fluids to escape and render the 

 expulsion of the fetus easier. 



Occasionally the foal is born more or less enveloped in the 

 amnion, but this is so delicate that a very slight struggle upon 

 its part will free it from any adherent portions. It has also been 

 stated that the mother gnaws through this membrane and releases 

 the young animal, but she always rests for a time after the ex- 

 pulsion of the fetus, and consequently, if its life were jeopardized 

 by being expelled included in its membranes, it would become 

 asphyxiated long before the mother would give it any attention. 

 We have not known a fetus to perish because of inclusion within 

 the membranes. 



It is needless to remark that, in cases where a living fetus is 

 expelled more or less enclosed in the amnion in such a way as 

 to interfere with respiration, the attendant should remove the 

 obstruction as promptly as possible, preferabh' before the fetus is 

 completely expelled. 



