208 DISEASES OF THE HOBSE. 



especially characteristic of cases affecting the peritoneum or lining 

 of the belly, and is more marked lower down. If the animal sur- 

 vives, the inflammation tends to become chronic and attended by a 

 whitish mucopurulent discharge. If, on the contrary, it proves 

 fatal, death is preceded by extreme prostration and weakness from 

 the general septic poisoning. 



Treatment. — In treatment the first thing to be sought is the re- 

 moval of all offensive and irritant matters from the womb through a 

 caoutchouc tube introduced into the womb, and into which a funnel 

 is fitted. "Warm water should be passed until it comes away clear. 

 To insure that all the womb has been washed out, the oiled hand 

 may be introduced to carry the end of the tube into the two horns 

 successively. When the offensive contents have been thus removed, 

 the womb should be injected with a quart of water holding in solution 

 1 dram permanganate of potash, or, in the absence of the latter, 2 

 teaspoonfuls of carbolic acid, twice daily. Fomentation of the abdo- 

 men, or the application of a warm flaxseed poultice, may greatly 

 relieve. Acetanilid, in doses of half an ounce, twice or thrice a day, 

 or sulphate of quinia in doses of one-third ounce, may be employed 

 to reduce the fever. If the great prostration indicates septic poison- 

 ing, large doses (one-half ounce) bisulphite of soda, or salicylate of 

 soda, or sulphate of quinin may be resorted to. 



LEUCORRHEA. 



This is a white, glutinous, chronic discharge, the result of a con- 

 tinued, subacute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the womb. 

 Like the discharge of acute inflammation, it contains many forms of 

 bacteria, by some of which it is manifestly inoculable on the penis of 

 the stallion, producing ulcers and a specific, gonorrheal discharge. 



Treatment may consist in the internal use of tonics (sulphate of 

 iron, 3 drams, daily) and the washing out of the womb, as described 

 under the last heading, followed by an astringent antiseptic injection 

 (carbolic acid, 2 teaspoonfuls; tannic acid, \ dram; water, 1 quart). 

 This may be given two or three times a day. 



DISEASES OF THE UDDER AND TEATS. 



CONGESTION AND INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER. 



This is comparatively rare in the mare, though in some cases the 

 udder becomes painfully engorged before parturition, and a doughy 

 swelling, pitting on pressure, extends forward on the lower surface of 

 the abdomen. When this goes on to active inflammation, one or both 

 of the glands becomes enlarged, hot, tense, and painful ; the milk is 

 dried up or replaced by a watery or reddish, serous fluid, which at 

 times becomes fetid ; the animal walks lame, loses appetite, and shows 

 general disorder and fever. The condition may end in recovery, in 



