WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS OF THE FlETL'S AT BIRTH. Vlb 



white in foetuses destitute of a liver, as well as in others whose intestine 

 was obliterated below the entrance of the biliary duct. It is very con- 

 sistent and plentiful in the intestines at birth, in those of a Foal whoso 

 stomach contained 2i29 grannnes weight of the white viscid fluid above 

 mentioned, there were found 216 grammes of greyish meconium in the 

 small intestines, and 559 of green in the large intestines. This product 

 is frequently expelled in certain quantities towai'ds the end of gestation, 

 and is found in the liquor anmii, winch owes its yellow colour to its 

 presence ; it is swallowed with this lluid, and is then observed in small 

 masses in the stomach. 



The liver appears to bo engaged, during fu>tal life, in the depuration 

 of the blood, as appears from this accumulation of meconium, which is 

 chietly altered bile ; but at the same time, as has been stated, it is 

 serving as a blood-making organ, and this is probably its principal func- 

 tion before birth. 



The secretion of urine is somewhat active during intra-uterine life,. 

 and appears to be el^ected by the Woltlian bodies before the kidneys 

 begin to act. It is not, however, until the end of gestation that a notable 

 quantity of urine is found in the bladder, and urea in the allantoic fluid 

 of the Cow. It is certain, however, that this fluid is not altogether the 

 urine of the fa^tus, as its proportion is relatively larger at an early 

 epoch of foetal life, and the connnunication between the bladder and 

 allantois is more limited towards parturition. 



With regard to the function of the thyroid and thymus "glands," as 

 they have been termed, and the spleen and suprarenal capsules, during 

 fcetal life, there is but little positively known. It appears, however, to 

 be admitted that the ottice performed by tliese ductless or vascular 

 glands, is to restore to the circulating current any substances which 

 they may withdraw from it, and that their action is subsidiary to the 

 process of sanguification ; being exercised, perhaps, chiefly upon that 

 portion of the nutrient materials which did not pass through the 

 absorbent system when first introduced, but was taken up directly by 

 the bloodvessels. 



SECTION VI.— WEIGHT AND DIMF.XSK )XS OF THE F(ETrS AT BIRTH. 



The various phenomena coimected with development having been 

 completed, so far as uterine existence is concerned, it may be useful to 

 note wliat has been ascertained with regard to the icciyht and dtJiioi- 

 sious of the fa>tus at birth ; the latter being of much importance 

 from an obstetrical point of view, though it is a subject which has not 

 received all the attention it merits from veterinary obstetrists. 



Weight. 



With regard to weight, we find, as might be expected, that this 

 varies considerably, according to the size, breed, and condition of the 

 parents, and other circumstances which more or less influence growth. 



For the Horse species, Boussingault estimated that Foals from parents 

 weighing from 400 to 500 kilogrammes, weighed at birth from 50 to 51 

 kilogrammes.^ Franck estimated that the Foal weighs 00685 the 

 weight of the mother before parturition. According to a table drawn 

 up by Saint-Cyr, it appears that a Foal at birth may vary in weight 

 between 31 and 55 kilogrammes, according to breed and individual 



' The kilogramme is equal to 2 205 pounds cvoirdupoii>. 



