162 



protects the body and leaves tiie whoie arm free for manipulation. 

 Before inserting the arm it should be smeared with lard. This i)ro- 

 tects the skin against septic infection, and favors the introduction of 

 the hand and arm. The hand should be inserted with the thumb and 

 fingers draAvn together like a cone. "Whether standing or lying the 

 mare sliould be turned with head down liill and hind parts raised as 

 much as possible. The contents of the abdomen gravitating forward 

 leave much more room for manipulation. Whatever part of the foal 

 is presented (head, foot) should be secured with a cord and running 

 noose before it is pushed back to search for the other missing i)arts. 

 Even if a missing part is reached no attempt should be made to bring 

 it up during a labor pain. Pinching the back will sometimes check 

 the pains and allow the operator to secure and bring up the missing 

 member. In intractable cases a large dose of chloral hydrate (1 ounce 

 in a quart of water) or the inhalation of chloroform and air (equal 

 proportions) to insensibility may secure a respite, during which the 

 missing members may be replaced. If the waters have been discharged 

 and the mucus dried up, the genital jiassages and body of the foetus 

 should be lubricated with lard or oil before any attempt at extraction 

 is made. When the missing member has been brought up into ]30si- 

 tion, and presentation has been rendered natural, traction on the foetus 

 must be made only during a labor j)ain. If a mare is inclined to kick, 

 it may be necessary to apply hobbles to protect the operator. 



PREMATURE LABOR PAIXS. 



These may be brought on by any violent exertion, use under the 

 saddle, or in hea^n*' draught, or in rapid paces, or in travel by rail or 

 sea, blows, kicks, crushing by other animals in a doorway or gate. 

 Excessive action of purgative or diuretic ageuts, or of agents that 

 irritate the bowels or kidnej's, like arsenic, Paris green, all caustic 

 salts and acids, and acrid and narcotico-acrid vegetables, is equally 

 injurious. Finally, the ingestion of agents that stimulate the action 

 of the gravid womb {ergot of rye or of other grasses, smut, various 

 fungi of fodders, rue, savin, cotton-root, etc.) may bring on labor j^ains 

 l^rematurely. 



Besides the knowledge that parturition is not j'et due, there will be 

 less enlargement, redness and swelling of the vulva, less mucous dis- 

 charge, less filling of the udder, and less appearances of wax and prob- 

 ably none of milk from the ends of the teats. The oiled hand intro- 

 duced into the vulva will not enter with the ease usual at full term, 

 and the neck of the womb will be felt not on\j closed, but with its pro- 

 jecting papilla?, thi'ough which it is perforated, not yet flattened down 

 and etfaced, as at full term. The symptoms are indeed those of 

 threatened abortion, but at such an advanced stage of gestation as is 

 co]ni)atible with the survival of the oifspring. 



