170 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



tumors which I have met with in the mare's bladder have been inva- 

 riably delicate in texture and could be removed piecemeal by forceps. 

 Fortunately, mares affected in this way rarely breed. 



IMPACTION OF THE RECTUM WITH FECES. 



In some animals, with more or less paralysis or weakness of the tail 

 and rectum, the rectum may become so impacted with solid feces that 

 the mare is unable to discharge them, and the accumulation both by 

 reason of the mechanical obstruction and the pain caused by pressure 

 upon it will impel the animal to cut short all labor pains. The 

 rounded swelling surrounding the anus will at once suggest the con- 

 dition, when the obstruction may be removed by the well-oiled or 

 well-soaped hand. 



This occurs in the mare of specially excitable temperament, or 

 under particular causes of irritation, local or general. Labor pains, 

 though continuing for some time, produce no dilatation of the neck of 

 the womb, which will be found firmly closed so as to admit but one or 

 two fingers, and this, although the projection at the mouth of the 

 womb may have been entirely effaced, so that a simple round, opening 

 is left, with rigid margins. 



Treatment. The simplest treatment consists in smearing this part 

 with solid extract of belladonna, and after an interval inserting the 

 hand with fingers and thumb drawn into the form of a cone, ruptur- 

 ing the membranes and bringing the fetus into position for extrac- 

 tion, as advised under " Prolonged retention of the fetus." Another 

 mode is to insert through the neck of the womb an ovoid caoutchouc 

 bag, empty, and furnished with an elastic tube 12 feet long. Carry 

 the free end of this tube upward to a height of 8, 10, or 12 feet, insert 

 a filler into it, and proceed to distend the bag with tepid or warm 

 water. 



FIBROUS BANDS CONSTRICTING OR CROSSING THE NECK OP THE WOMB. 



These, occurring as the result of disease, have been several times 

 observed in the mare. They may exist in the cavity of the abdomen 

 and compress and obstruct the neck of the womb, or they may extend 

 from side to side of the vagina across and just behind the neck of the 

 womb. In the latter position they may be felt and quickly remedied 

 by cutting them across. In the abdomen they can only be reached by 

 incision, and two alternatives are presented: (1) To perform embry- 

 otomy and extract the fetus piecemeal and (2) to make an incision 

 into the abdomen and extract by the Ca?sarean operation, or simply to 

 cut the constricting band and attempt delivery by the usual channel. 



