PARTURITION, OR FOALING. 611 



care not to scratch or bruise the inner surface, as troublesome 

 swellings sometimes ensue. 



More trouble, however, arises from the accumulation of little 

 round "beans " (as horsemen call them), of a soft clayish appear- 

 ance, in the cavity in the head of the penis, surrounding the end 

 of the urethra, sometimes obstructing the passage of the urine by 

 pressing on the urethra, or even stopping up the orifice itself, giv- 

 ing rise to difficulty in staling, and uneasiness. ' 



The sheath should be washed out with soap and water, and the 

 hand, well oiled, , should be passed up, and the penis drawn out, 

 when the accumulation should be removed, taking care not to 

 scratch or bruise the parts. 



Parturition, or Foaling. 



The period of gestation in the mare varies from eleven to thir- 

 teen months. Usually about ten days before foaling she begins to 

 " make bag," the udder enlarges, and a thin, milky fluid can be 

 drawn from the teats, and a glairy discharge escapes from the 

 vagina, giving warning that the foal is about to be dropped. When 

 the time' approaches, she becomes uneasy, getting up and down 

 frequently. Presently the true labor pains begin, the womb con- 

 tracts on its contents, assisted by the diaphragm and abdominal 

 muscles; the whole body is convulsed with the effort; the mouth 

 of the womb becomes dilated; the water-bag appears and bursts; 

 and when the presentation is natural, a few efforts force Jt out — 

 sometimes inclosed in the membranes, which must be immediately 

 removed ; and if the cord does not give way itself, it being some- 

 times thick and strong, a ligature should be put on it about four 

 inches from the belly, and the remainder cut away. In' general, 

 mares are best left to themselves at this important period ; but care 

 should be taken that they do not get into awkward positions, as 

 against a wall, or the sides of the box. , 



Abnormal Presentations. 



The natural position of the foal at birth is with the head rest- 

 ing on the two fore legs. When in this position, and the parts 

 natural, it soon comes away without very much exertion. In many 

 cases, however, the foal is found in such positions as to prevent its 

 escape without assistance. In all cases of protracted labor, where 

 the pains continue without effect, assistance may be required. The 

 hand being raised in temperature by washing in warm water, 

 should be introduced to ascertain the Cauie. In some cases the 



