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passages with comparative ease. Even with the hind feet first a simi- 

 lar conical form is jiresented, and the process is rendered easy and 

 quick. Difficulty and danger arise mainly from the act being brought 

 on prematurely before the passages are sufficiently dilated, from nar- 

 rowiug of the pelvic bones or other mechanical obstruction in the 

 passages, from monstrous distortions or duplications in the fcetus, or 

 from the turning back of one of the members so that the elougated 

 conical or wedge-shaped outline is done away with. But prompt as is 

 the normal parturition in the mare, difficult and delayed parturitions 

 are surrounded by special dangers and require unusual i^recautions and 

 skill. From the proclivity of the mare to unhealthy inflammations of 

 the peritoneum and other abdominal organs, i)enetratiug wounds of the 

 womb or vagina are liable to prove fatal. The contractions of the 

 womb and abdominal walls are so powerful as to exhaust and benumb 

 the arm of the assistant, and to endanger penetrating wounds of the 

 genital organs. By reason of the looser connection of the fcetal mem- 

 branes with the womb, as compared with those of ruminants, the violent 

 throes early detach these membranes throughout their whole extent, 

 and the foal, being thus separated from the mother and thrown on its 

 own resources, dies at an early stage of any protracted parturition. 

 The foal rarely survives four hours after the onset of parturient throes. 

 From the great length of the limbs and neck of the foal it is ex- 

 tremely difficult to secure and bring u]) limb or head which has been 

 turned back when it should have been presented. When assistance 

 must be rendered the operator should don a thick woolen undershirt 

 with the sleeves cut out at the shoulders. This protects the body and 

 leaves the whole arm free for manipulation. Before inserting the arm 

 it should be smeared with lard. This protects the skin against septic 

 infection, and favors the introduction of the hand and arm. The hand 

 should be inserted with the thumb and fingers drawn together like a 

 cone. Whether standing or lying the mare should be turned with head 

 down hill and hind parts raised as much as possible. The contents of 

 the abdomen gravitating forward leave much more room for manipula- 

 tion. Whatever part of the foal is presented (head, foot) should be se- 

 cured with a cord and running noose before it is pushed back to search 

 for the other missing parts. Even if a missing part is reached no at- 

 tempt should be made to bring it up during a labor i)ain. Pinching 

 the back will sometimes check the pains and allow the operator to se- 

 cure and bring uj) the missing member. In intractable cases a large 

 dose of chloral hydrate (1 ounce in a quart of water) or the inhalation 

 of chloroform and air (equal proportions) to insensibility may secure a 

 respite, during which the missing members may be replaced. If the 

 tcaters have been discharged and the mucus dried up, the genital pas- 

 sages and body of the foetus should be lubricated with lard or oil before 

 any attempt at extraction is made. When the missing member has 

 been brought up into i^ositiou, and presentation has been rendered nat- 



