160 



or 2 ounces, according to size, and repeated after tAvo or three hours, 

 and even dail}^ if necessary. Chloroform or chloral hydrate, 3 drams, 

 may be substituted if more convenient. These should be given in a 

 pint or quart of water, to avoid burning the mouth and throat. Or 

 viburnum prunifolium, 1 ounce, may be given and repeated if neces- 

 sary to prevent straining. 



When all measures fail and miscarriage proceeds, all that can be 

 done is to assist in the removal of the foetus and its membranes, as in 

 ordinary j)arturition. As in the case of retention of the foetus, it may 

 be necessary after delivery to employ antispeptic injections into the 

 womb to counteract putrid fermentation. This, however, is less requi- 

 site in the mare than in the cow, in which the jDrevalent contagious 

 abortion must be counteracted by the peristent local use of antiseptics. 

 After abortion a careful hygiene is demanded, especially in the matter 

 of i3ure air and easily digestible food. The mai-e should not be served 

 again for a month or longer, and in no case until after all discharge 

 from the vulva has ceased. 



SYMPTOMS OF PARTURITIOX. 



As the period of parturition approaches the swelling of the udder 

 bespeaks the coming event, the engorgement in exceptional cases 

 extending forward on the lower surface of the abdomen and even into 

 the hind limbs. For about a week a serous fluid oozes from the teat 

 and concretes as a yellow, wax-like mass around its orifice. About 

 twenty-four hours before the birth this gives place to a whitish, milky 

 liquid, Avhieh falls upon and mats the hairs on the inner sides of the 

 legs. Another symi^tom is enlargement of the vulva, with redness of 

 its lining membrane, and the escape of glairy mucus. The belly 

 droops, the flanks fall in, and the loins ma}^ even become depressed. 

 Finally the mare becomes uneasy, stops feeding, looks anxious, whisks 

 her tail, and may lie down and rise again. In many mares this is not 

 repeated, but the mare remains down; violent contractions of the 

 abdominal muscles ensue; after two or three pains the AA^ater-bags 

 api^ear and burst, folloAA'ed by the fore feet of the foal, with the nose 

 betAveen the knees, and by a few more throes the foetus is expelled. 

 In other cases the act is accomplished standing. The Avliole act may 

 not occupy more than fiA^e or ten minutes. This, together Avith the 

 disposition of the mare to aA^oid obserA^ation, renders the act one that 

 is rarely seen by the attendants. 



The naA^el-string, AA^hich connects the foal to the membranes, is 

 rui^tured AAdien the foetus falls to the ground, or Avlien the mare rises, 

 if she has been down, and the membranes are expelled a few minutes 

 later. 



NATURAL PRESENTATION, 



When there is a single foal the common and desirable presenta- 

 tion is Avitli the fore feet first, the nose betAveen the knees, and AA'ith 



