SKIXI'JnWESS OF THE XKiriiDUX AXIMAL. 713 



dium ; it is also a symptom of asphyxia, and is sometimes witnessed 

 in colic in the Horse, complicated with meteorismus ; it likewise accom- 

 panies certain forms of poisoninj^. 



When due to the tirst-named causes, this condition is manifested 

 durinj^ or immediately after birth ; it is only in rare instances that it is 

 developed at a later period. It is needless to mention that such a 

 conformation is beyond remedy, though animals so atl'ected will some- 

 times live for a long time ; Zundel has seen a horse seven years old 

 which was in this condition. 



CHAPTER XV. 

 Skin Dryness of the New-born Animal. 



OniCH^ is, to my knowledge, the only writer who has alluded to this 

 peculiar condition of the Foal at birth. He says : " In the case of 

 some primipiirous Mares, a fatal accident often happens to their 

 progeny. When parturition takes place without anyone being present, 

 the young creature, on being expelled from the mother, continues lying 

 away from her until its skin is dry. The conse(]uence is that the Mare 

 does not care for it, does not lick or attend to it, and opposes all 

 attempts to compel her to suckle it. For some days constraint is 

 necessary, and much trouble and danger may be incurred before she is 

 accustomed to it. This may bo averted if the new-born creature is 

 rubbed over with the ' after - birth ' (placental membranes). The 

 instinct of the Mare impels her then to lick and fondle her offspring, 

 and to take to it kindlv and in a natural manner." 



CH-\PTER XVI. 

 Imperforate Anus. 



I>ri'F.KF0i{.\TE anus is not a very rare occurrence in newborn animals ; 

 it has been observed in Foals, Calves, Pigs, and Lambs. The latter 

 appear to furnish the largest number of cases. This condition is, of 

 course, very serious unless surgical aid is quickly afforded, and even 

 then the young creatures are not always saved. 



The meconium cannot be evacuated, nor yet the residue of the milk 

 the animal may have ingested after birth ; whence results an accumu- 

 lation of irritating matters in the intestines, which give rise to inflam- 

 mation, and tliis <}uickly causes death. 



This occlusion or imperforation may exist in various degrees. There 

 may be merely a membrane covering and occluding the anal opening; 

 the borders of the anus may be adlierent to a greater or less extent ; 

 the rectum may be more or less absent or incomplete ; or it may open 

 into the genito-urinary passages instead of at the anus. 



Symptoms. 



When no faices can be expelled, usually towards the second or third 

 day after birth, uneasiness and symptoms of acute colic are manifested; 

 the animal does not suck, the abdomen becomes distended, expulsive 

 ' WochtivKhriftfur Thierhtilkunde, 1869, p. 105. 



