1G6 



CALCULUS (stone) AND TUMOR IX THE BLADDER. 



Tlic x)ressurc upon the bladder containing a stone or a tumor may 

 prove so painful that the mare will voluntarily suppress tlie labor 

 pains. Examination of the bladder with the finger introduced through 

 the urethra will detect the offending agent. A stone should be 

 extracted with forceps (see "Lithotomy"). The large papillary 

 tumors which I have met with in the mare's bladder have been inva- 

 riably delicate in texture and could be removed xjiecemeal by forcejis. 

 Fortunately, mares affected in this waj'" rarely breed. 



IMPACTIOX OF THE RECTUM WITH F^CES. 



In some animals, with more or less paralysis or weakness of the tail 

 and rectum, the i*ectum ma}' become so impacted with solid faeces that 

 the mare is unable to discharge them, and the accumulation both by 

 reason of the mechanical obstruction and the x)ain caused by pressure 

 uioon it will impel the animal to cut short all labor jjains. The 

 rounded swelling surrounding the anus will at once suggest the con- 

 dition, when the obstruction may be removed by the well-oiled or 

 soaped hand. 



SPASM OF THE XECK OF THE WOMB. 



This occurs in the mare of specially excitable temperament, or under 

 I)articular causes of irritation, local or general. Labor pains, though 

 continuing for some time, produce no dilatation of the neck of the 

 womb, which will be found firmlj'^ closed so as to admit but one or two 

 fingers, and this, althovigh the i^rojection at the mouth of the womb 

 may have been entirely effaced, so that a simple round opening is left 

 with rigid margins. 



The simplest 'treaiinod consists in smearing this part with solid 

 extract of belladonna, and after an interval inserting the hand with 

 fingers and thumb drawn into the form of a cone, rupturing the 

 membranes and bringing the foetus into position for extraction, as 

 advised under '"Prolonged Retention of the Foetus." Another mode 

 is to insert through the neck of the womb an ovoid caoutchouc bag, 

 emi^t}-, and furnished with an elastic tube 12 feet long. Carry the 

 free end of this tube upward to a height of 8, 10, or 12 feet, insert a 

 filler into it, and proceed to distend the bag vt'ith tepid or warm 

 water. 



FIBROUS BAX'DS COXSTRICTIX(4 OR CROSSING THE XECK OF THE \VOMB. 



These occurring as the result of disease have been several times 

 observed in the mare. They may exist in tlie cavit}' of the abdomen 

 and compress and obstruct the neck of the womb, or they may extend 

 from side to side of the vagina across and just behind the neck of the 

 womb. In the latter position the)' may be felt and quickly remedied 

 by cutting them across. In the abdomen they can only be reached 



