86o Veterinary Obstetrics 



copulation cannot readily occur, because the penis of the stallion 

 becomes deflected upward into the rectum. As work animals 

 they are wholly worthless for purposes of pleasure, because of 

 the repulsive sound of the involuntary passages of air in and out 

 of the cloaca and the fragments of feces accompanying the ex- 

 pelled air, which scatter in every direction. Unless complete 

 recovery can be obtained, the value of the animal is virtuall}^ 

 ruined except for the temporary purpose of nursing the foal 

 should it be born alive. After this service has been rendered 

 the mare usually passes into the hands of low dealers, l^uless 

 complete recovery can be attained, it is usually better for 

 .sentimental and humane reasons to destroy the animal. 



3. The third group of lesions, which consists chiefly of the tear- 

 ing of the lips of the vulva at or near the superior commissure or 

 el-sew^here, without involving extensively the sphincter of the 

 anus, the prognosis is highly favorable. Under proper surgical 

 attention, the animal should be completely restored to usefulness 

 in the va.st majority of cases. 



The handling of these very serious accidents calls for judg- 

 ment and patience upon the part of the veterinarian. In the two 

 first groups, in spite of the very unfavorable prognosis, attempts 

 should be made to bring about complete recovery, always giving 

 to the owner an unfavorable prognosis, and thus placing the 

 operator in a proper position before the handling is undertaken. 

 There is nothing to lose, and if success follows the effort, the 

 gain is the value of the recovered animal. 



Views vary as to the most opportune time at which an opera- 

 tion should be undertaken. Some recommend operating im- 

 mediately after the injury, while others counsel delay until the 

 lacerated tissues have sloughed away and granulation is estab- 

 lished over the entire wound surface. In this the operator 

 should be guided somewhat by circumstances. If called im- 

 mediately, before a serious infection of the wound accompanied 

 by great swelling has taken place, we consider it preferable to 

 operate at once. 



If the operation has been delayed until the wound margins 

 have healed, it becomes necessary to entirely denude them of 

 epithelium. 



Prior to undertaking the operation, the alimentary tract 

 should be thoroughly and completely evacuated, .so that there 



