167 



by incision, and two alternatives are presented: (1) To perform 

 embryotomy and extract tlie fo?tns piecemeal; and (2) to make an 

 incision into the abdomen and extract by the Csesarian operation, or 

 simply to cnt the constricting- band and attempt deliveryby the usual 

 channel. 



FIBROUS CONSTRICTION OF VAGINA OR VULVA. 



This is i^robably always the result of direct mechanical injury and 

 the formation of rigid cicatrices which fail to dilate with the remainder 

 of the passages at the approach of parturition. The presentation of 

 the foetus in the natural Avay and the occurrence of successive and 

 active labor pains without any favorable result will direct attention 

 to the rigid and unyielding cicatrices Avhich may be incised at one, 

 two, or more points to a depth of half an inch or more, after which 

 the natural expulsive efforts will usuallj' prove effective. The result- 

 ing wounds may be washed frequently with a solution of 1 i)art of 

 carbolic acid to 50 parts of water, or of 1 part of mercuric chloride to 

 500 parts water. 



FCETUS ADHERENT TO THE WALLS OF THE WOMB. 



In inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the cavity of the 

 womb and implicating the foetal membranes, the resulting embryonic 

 tissue sometimes establishes a medium of direct continuity between 

 the womb and fcetal membranes; the blood vessels of the one com- 

 municate freely Avith those of the other and the fibers of the one are 

 l)rolonged into the other. This causes retention of the membranes 

 after birth, and a special risk of bleeding from the womb, and of sep- 

 tic poisojiing. In exceptional cases the adhesion is more extensive 

 and binds a portion of the body of the foal firmly to the womb. In 

 such cases it has repeatedly been found impossible to extract the foal 

 until such adhesions were broken dawn. If they can be reached with 

 the hand and recognized they may be torn through Avith the fingers 

 or with a blunt hook, after which delivery may l)e attempted with 

 hoi)f of success. 



EXCESSIVE SIZE OF THE FCETUS. 



It would seem that a small inare may usually be safely bred to a 

 large stallion, 3-et this is not always the case, and when the small size 

 is an individual rather than a racial characteristic or the result of 

 extreme youth, the rule can not be expected to hold. There is always 

 great danger in breeding the young, small, and undeveloped female, 

 and the dwarfed representative of a larger breed, as the offspring- 

 tend to partake of the large race characteristics and to show them 

 even prior to birth. AVhen impregnation has occurred in the very 

 young or in the dwarfed female, tliere are two alternatives — to induce 

 abortion, or to wait until there are attempts at parturition and to 

 extract by embryotomy if impracticable otherwise. 



