157 



after carrying the foetus for seventeen months, and Caillier a similar 

 result after it had been carried twenty-two months. In these cases 

 the fcjetus retained its natural form, but in one rei)orted by Gohier, 

 the bones only were left in the womb amid a mass of apparently 

 purulent matter. 



Tlie cause may be any effective obstruction to the act of parturition, 

 such as lack of contractile i30wer in the womb, unduly strong (inflam- 

 matory) adhesions between the womb and the foetal membranes, 

 Avrong presentation of the foetus, contracted pelvis (from fracture, or 

 disease of the bones), or disease and induration of the neck of the 

 womb. 



The mere prolongation of gestation does not necessarily entail the 

 death of the foal; hence the latter has been born alive at the four 

 hundredth day. Even when the foal has perished, putrefaction does 

 not set in unless the membranes (water bags) have been riTptured, 

 and septic bacteria have been admitted to the interior of the womb. 

 In the latter case a fetid decomposition advances rai^idly, and the 

 mare usually j)erishes from jDoisoning with the putrid matters absorbed. 



At the natural period of parturition i3reparations are apparently 

 made for that act. The vulva swells and discharges much mucus, the 

 udder enlarges, the belly becomes more pendent, and the animal 

 strains more or less. No progress is made, however; there is not 

 even opening of the neck of the womb, and after a time the symptoms 

 subside. The mare usually refuses the male, j^et there are exceptions 

 to this rule. If the neck of the womb has been opened and putref jdng 

 changes have set in in its contents, the mare loses appetite and condi- 

 tion, i)ines, discharges an offensive matter from the generative pas- 

 sages, and dies of inflammation of the womb and putrid infection. 

 In other cases there is a slow wearing out of the strength and the mare 

 iinall}' dies of exhaustion. 



The treatment is such as will facilitate the expulsion of the foetus 

 and its membranes, and the subsequent washing out of the womb 

 with disinfectants. So long as the mouth of the womb is closed, time 

 should be allowed for its natural dilatation, but if this does not come 

 about after a day or two of straining the opening maj" be smeared with 

 extract of belladonna, and the oiled hand, with the fingers and thumb 

 drawn into the form of a cone, may be inserted by slow oscillating 

 movements into the interior of the womb. The water bags may now 

 be ruptured, any malpresentation rectified (see "Difficult Parturi- 

 tion"), and delivery effected. After removal of the membranes wash 

 out the womb first with tepid water, and then with a solution of 2 

 ounces of borax in half a gallon of water. 



This injection may have to be repeated if a discharge sets in. The 

 same course may be pursued even after j^rolonged retention. If the 

 soft parts of the foetus have been absorbed and the bones only left 

 these must be carefully sought for and removed, and subsequent 



