1026 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



period, but care should be taken that they do not get into awk- 

 ward positions, as against a wall, or the sides of the box. 



ABNORMAL PRESENTATIONS. 



The natural position of the foal at birth is with the head rest- 

 ing on the two fore-legs. When in this position, and the parts 

 natural, it soon comes away without very much exertion. In 

 many cases, however, the foal is found in such positions as to pre- 

 vent its escape without assistance. In all cases of protracted la- 

 bour, where the pains continue without effect, assistance may be 

 required. The hand being raised in temperature by washing in 

 warm water, should be introduced to ascertain the cause. In 

 some cases the neck of the womb will be found not sufficiently 

 dilated, but the foal is found in its natural position. In such 

 cases, it may be gently dilated with the hand, or left alone, when 

 nature will often overcome it herself. In cases of natural presen- 

 tion, we must not be in too much hurry to deliver ; harm is often 

 done by injudicious interference. One or both fore-legs may be 

 doubled back, with the head presenting. In this case, push it 

 back, and pass the hand down the leg if possible ; get them up 

 into the passage, either by the hand or looped cords passed round 

 the fetlock, when, by slight traction, it will generally be brought 

 away. The legs may be presented in the passage, and the head 

 either doubled down under the brim of the pelvis, or turned over 

 the shoulder down on the flank. In this case, it should be pushed 

 bodily back, and the head sought for, when a loop must be placed, 

 if possible, on the lower jaw; it must now be pushed back, while 

 the head is to be pulled forward, and brought into the passage. 

 This case is often very troublesome, from the difficulty sometimes 

 experienced in reaching the head. It is sometimes necessary to 

 remove one of the legs by cutting the skin round the fetlock, and 

 with the embryotomy knife dividing the skin of the leg as far as 

 the shoulder, and separating it with the fingers, when it can be 

 removed. A cord should be attached to the loose skin to aid in 

 traction, when the head can in most cases be reached. We have 

 had occasion to remove both legs in the same manner before de- 

 livery could be effected. 



Sometimes the buttocks and tail are only to be felt ; this is 

 often a troublesome case, especially when the legs dip under the 



