156 



Treatment consists in relieving tlie tension and accumulation by 

 puncturing- the foetal membrane with a canula and trochar intro- 

 duced through the neck of the womb and the withdrawal of the tro- 

 char so as to leave the canula in situ. Or the membranes may be 

 punctured with the finger and the excess of liquid allowed to escape. 

 This may bring on abortion, or the Avound may close and gestation 

 continue to the full term. A course of tonics (gentian root 2 drams, 

 sulphate of iron 2 drams, daily) will do much to fortify the system 

 and counteract further excessive effusion. 



DROPSY OF THE LIMBS, PERINEUM, AND ABDOMEN, 



The disposition to dropsy often shows itself in the hind and even 

 in the fore limbs, around and beneath the vulva (perinseum) and 

 beneath the abdomen and chest. The affected parts are swollen and 

 pit on pressure, but are not especially tender, and subside more or 

 less perfectly under exercise, hand rubbing, and bandages. In obsti- 

 nate cases rubbing with the following liniment maj^ be resorted to : 

 Compound tincture of iodine, 2 ounces; tannic acid, one-half dram; 

 water, 10 ounces. It does not last over a day or two after i^arturition. 



CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS. 



The pressure of the distended Avomb on the nerves and blood-vessels 

 of the pelvis, besides conducing to dropsy, occasionally causes cramps 

 of the hind limbs. The limb is raised Avithout flexing the joints, the 

 front of the hoof being directed toAvard the ground, or the spasms 

 occurring intermittently the foot is kicked Aiolentlj^ against the 

 ground seA^eral times in rapid succession. The muscles are felt to be 

 firm and rigid. The cramps may be i^romptly relieved by active rub- 

 bing, or by Avalking the animal about, and it does not reappear after 

 parturition. 



CONSTIPATION. 



This may result from compression by the graAdd AV'omb, and is best 

 corrected by a graduated alloAA^ance of boiled flaxseed. 



PARALYSIS. 



The pressure on the nerves of the pelvis is liable to cause paralysis 

 of the hind limbs, or in the mare of the nerve of sight. These are 

 obstinate until after parturition, A\^hen they recover spontaneously, or 

 under a course of nux A^omica and (locally) stimulating liniments. 



PROLONGED RETENTION OF THE FGETUS (FOAL). 



In the mare, though far less frequently than in the cow, parturition 

 ma}^ not be completed at term, and tlie foal may continue to be car- 

 ried in the Avomb for a number of months, to the serious, or even fatal, 

 injury of the niare. Hamon records one case in AA'^hich the mare died 



