28 VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 



In the Mare, about eighteen months to two and a 

 half or three years, but where attention to improvement 

 of breed is paid, the Mares should not become mothers 

 till they are four years of age, as the parent and 

 offspring are both more valuable. 



Certain characteristic changes take place in the 

 female on the appearance of puberty. These changes 

 remain for a short time only, then disappear, to appear 

 again with more or less regularity throughout the 

 whole fertile period of the animal's life. When these 

 conditions mentioned are present, they indicate what 

 is known as the period of cestrum, rut, or heat. 



Some of these changes can be recognized exter- 

 nally, others can not. In the Cow, we notice an 

 irregularity in feeding, partial loss of appetite at this 

 period ; roaring occasionally ; pulse irritable and 

 accelerated ; temperature slightly elevated, which may 

 be from one to two degrees Fahrenheit. If the Cow 

 be giving milk, the supply will be decreased, and in the 

 Mare, which has never been In milk, the mammary 

 glands become enlarged, congested, and sometimes 

 secrete a fluid very much resembling healthy milk. 

 The mucous-membrane of the vulva and vagina. In all 

 animals, becomes injected, and red In color. The 

 clitoris is enlarged, and frequent movements of that 

 organ take place. There is also a discharge from the 

 vulva of a gelatinous looking fluid, believed to come 

 from the walls of the vulva, vagina and uterus, and in 

 some animals, from the glands of Gseriner, already 

 described. If the animal be at liberty, there seems to 

 be a natural desire for her to seek the opposite sex. 



