158 



ural, traction on tlie fee tus must be made only during a labor pain. If 

 a mare is inclined to kick, it may be necessary to apply Lobbies to pro- 

 tect the operator. 



PREMATURE LABOR PAINS. 



These may be brought on by any violent exertion, use under the 

 saddle, or in heavy draught, or in rapid paces, or in travel by rail or 

 sea, blows, kicks, crushiug by other animals in a doorway or gate. 

 Excessive action of purgative or diuretic agents, or of agents that ir- 

 ritate the bowels or kidneys, like arsenic, Paris green, all caustic salts 

 and acids, and acrid and narcotico- acrid vegetables, is equally in- 

 jurious. Finally, the ingestion of agents that stimulate the action of 

 the gravid womb (ergot of rye or of other grasses, smut, various fuugi of 

 fodders, rue, savin, cotton-root, etc.) may bring on labor pains pre- 

 maturely. 



Besides the knowledge that parturition is not yet due, there will be 

 less enlargement, redness and swelling of the vulva, less mucous dis- 

 charge, less filling of the udder, and less appearances of wax and proba- 

 bly none of milk from the ends of the teats. The oiled hand introduced 

 into the vulva will cot enter with the ease usual at full term, and the 

 neck of the womb will be felt not only closed, but with its projecting 

 papilla?, through which it is perforated, not yet flattened down and 

 effaced, as at full term. The symptoms are indeed those of threatened 

 abortion, but at such an advanced stage of gestation as is compatible 

 with the survival of the offspring. 



The treatment con&vAts in the separation of the mare from all other 

 animals in a quiet, dark, secluded place, and the free use of anti-spas- 

 modics and anodynes. Opium in dram doses every two hours, or 

 laudanum in ounce doses at similar intervals, will often suffice. When 

 the more urgent symptoms have subsided these doses may be repeated 

 thrice a day till all excitement passes off or until the passages have 

 become relaxed and prepared for parturition. Viburnum prunifolium, 

 in ounce doses, may be added if necessary. Should parturition become 

 inevitable, it may be favored and any necessary assistance furnished. 



DIFFICULT PARTURITION FROM NARROW PELVIS. 



A disproportion between the foetus got by a large stallion and the 

 pelvis of a small dam is a serious obstacle to parturition, sometimes 

 seen in the mare. This is not the rule, however, as the foal up to 

 birth usually accommodates itself to the size of the dam, as illustrated 

 in the successful crossing of Percheron stallions on mustang mares. 

 If the disproportion is too great the only resort is emhryotomy. 



FRACTURED HIP-BONES. 



More commonly the obstruction comes from distortion and narrow- 

 ing of the pelvis as the result of fractures. (Plates XIV, Fig. 2.) 

 Fractures at any point of the lateral wall or floor of the pelvis are re- 



