t) 



DISEASES OF THE GENEEATIVE OKGANS. 181 



Compound tincture of iodin, 2 ounces; tannic acid, one-half dram; 

 water, 10 ounces. It does not last more than, a day or two after 

 parturition. 



CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS. 



The pressure of the distended womb on the nerves and blood vessels 

 of the pelvis, besides conducing to dropsy, occasionally causes cramps 

 of the hind limbs. The limb is raised without flexing the joints, the 

 front of the hoof being directed toward the ground, or, the spasms 

 occurring intermittently, the foot is kicked violently against the 

 ground several times in rapid succession. The muscles are felt to be 

 firm and rigid. The cramp may be promptly relieved by active rub- 

 bing or by walking the animal about, and it does not reappear after 

 parturition. 



CONSTIPATION. 



This may result from compression by gravid womb, and is best 

 corrected by a graduated allowance of boiled flaxseed. 



PARALYSIS. 



The pressure on the nerves of the pelvis is liable to cause paralysis 

 of the hind limbs or of the nerve of sight. These are obstinate until 

 after parturition, when they recover spontaneously, or under a 

 course of nux vomica and (local) stimulating liniments. 



PROLONGED RETENTION OF THE FETUS (FOAL). 



Though far less frequently than in the case of the cow, parturition 

 may not be completed at term, and the mare, to her serious and even 

 fatal injury, may carry the foal in the womb for a number of months. 

 Hamon records one case in which the mare died after carrying the 

 fetus for 17 months, and Caillier a similar result after it had been 

 carried 22 months. In these cases the fetus retained its natural form, 

 but in one reported by Gohier the bones only were left in the womb 

 amid a mass of apparently purulent matter. 



Cause. — The cause may be any effective obstruction to the act of 

 parturition, such as lack of contractile power in the womb, unduly 

 strong (inflammatory) adhesions between the womb and the fetal 

 membranes, wrong presentation of the fetus, contracted pelvis (from 

 fracture or disease of the bones) , or disease and induration of the 

 neck of the womb. 



The mere prolongation of gestation does not necessarily entail the 

 death of the foal; hence the latter has been born alive at the four 

 hundredth day. Even when the foal has perished putrefaction does 

 not set in unless the membranes (water bags) have been ruptured and 

 septic bacteria have been admitted, to the interior of the womb. In 

 the latter case a fetid decomposition advances rapidly, and the mare 

 usually perishes from poisoning with the putrid matters absorbed. 



