DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 305 



CHAPTER XXV. 



SIGNS OF PARTURITION. 



The approaching signs of parturition in the 

 mare are great distension of the ndder with milk, 

 restlessness, and often symptoms of colic. The 

 mare should be watched, the watcher being in a 

 position to see the mare, but not to be in the stall 

 or box with her, as the presence of a person dis- 

 turbs the animal. It is very important that the 

 mare should be looked after at this period, as sev- 

 eral things may happen that could easily be put to 

 rights. The mare might be in a bad position, or, 

 as occasionally happens, if the membrane covering 

 the foal is not ruptured, it will become suffocated, 

 and it will die in a few minutes. The mare some- 

 times tears it off, and if she does not it is the duty 

 of the watcher to do so. I have seen numbers of 

 colts lost from this cause; besides, he will be able 

 to see if the animal is making any progress. After 

 the mare has made several ineffectual attempts to 

 .expel the foal, no time should be lost ascertaining 

 the cause of the delay, and assistance should be 

 given as soon as possible after parturition has com- 

 menced, as the foal soon dies, unlike the calf in this 

 respect. In the mare there may be some swelling 

 of the belly in front of the udder, and sometimes 

 swelling of the hind legs ; unless very great it does 



