172 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



latter. It is also known to get Avound around the neck or a limb at 

 birth, but in the mare this does not seriously impede parturition, as 

 the loosely attached membranes are easily separated from the womb 

 and no strangulation or retarding occurs. The foal may, however, 

 die from the cessation of the placental circulation unless it is speedily 

 delivered. 



WATER IN THE HEAD (hYDROCEPHALTTS) OF THE FOAL. 



This consists in the excessive accumulation of liquid in the ventricles 

 of the brain so that the cranial cavity is enlarged and constitutes a 

 great projecting rounded mass occupying the space from the eyes 

 ujDward. (See Plate XV, fig. 3.) With an anterior presentation 

 (fore feet and nose) this presents an insuperable obstacle to progress, 

 as the diseased cranium is too large to enter the pelvis at the same 

 time with the forearms. With a posterior presentation (hind feet) 

 all goes well until the body and shoulders have passed out, when 

 l^rogress is suddenly arrested by the great bulk of the head. In 

 the first case, the oiled hand introduced along the face detects the 

 enormous size of the head, wdiich may be diminished by puncturing 

 it with a knife or trocar and cannula in the median line, evacuating 

 the water and pressing in the thin bony walls. With a posterior 

 presentation, the same course must be followed; the hand jjassed 

 along the neck will detect the cranial swelling, w^hich may be punc- 

 tured w4th a knife or trocar. Oftentimes with an anterior presen- 

 tation the great size of the head leads to its displacement backward, 

 and thus the fore limbs alone engage in the passages. Here the first 

 object is to seek and bring up the missing head, and then puncture it 

 as above suggested. 



DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN IN THE FOAL, OR ASCITES. 



The accumulation of liquid in the abdominal cavity of the fetus is 

 less frequent, but when present it may arrest parturition as com- 

 pletely as will hydrocephalus. With an anterior presentation the 

 foal may pass as far as the shoulders, but behind this all efforts fail 

 to secure a further advance. With a posterior presentation the hind 

 legs as far as the thighs may be expelled, but at this point all progress 

 ceases. In either case the oiled hand, passed inward by the side of 

 the foal, will detect the enormous distention of the abdomen and its 

 soft, fluctuating contents. The only course is to puncture the cavity 

 and evacuate the liquid. With the anterior presentation this may 

 be done with a long trocar and cannula, introduced through the chest 

 and diaphragm; or with a knife an incision may be made between 

 the first two ribs and the lungs and heart cut or torn out, when the 

 diaphragm will be felt projecting strongly forward, and may be 

 easily punctured. Should there not be room to introduce the hand 



