186 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



fig. 2.) In this way, even with a posterior presentation, the curva- 

 ture of the body of the foal still corresponds to that of the passages, 

 and its expulsion may be quite as easy as in anterior presentation. 

 Any presentation aside from these two may be said to be abnormal 

 and will be considered under " Difficult parturition." 



PREMATURE LABOR PAINS. 



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

 saddle, or in heavy draft, or in rapid paces, or in travel by rail or sea, 

 blows, kicks, crushing by other animals in a doorway or gate. Ex- 

 cessive action of purgative or diuretic agents, or of agents that irri- 

 tate 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 

 fungi of fodders, rue, savin, cotton root, etc.) may bring on labor 

 pains prematurely. 



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 fewer appearances of wax and 

 probably none of milk from the ends of the teats. The oiled hand 

 introduced into the vulva will not enter with the ease usual at full 

 term, and the neck of the womb will be felt not only closed, but with 

 its projecting papillae, through which it is perforated, not yet flat- 

 tened down and effaced, as at full term. The symptoms are, indeed, 

 those of threatened abortion, but at such an advanced stage of gesta- 

 tion as is compatible with the survival of the offspring. 



Treatment. — The treatment consists in the separation of the mare, 

 in a quiet, dark, secluded place, from all other animals, and the free 

 use of antispasmodics 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. Vibumr 

 urn prunifoUum (black haw), in ounce doses, may be added if neces- 

 sary. Should parturition become inevitable, it may be favored and 

 any necessary assistance furnished. 



DIFFICULT PARTURITION. 



With natural presentation this is a rare occurrence. The great 

 length of the fore limbs and face entail, in the anterior presentation, 

 the formation of a long cone, which dilates and glides through the 

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

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



