DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 187 
quick. Difficulty and danger arise mainly from the act being brought 
on prematurely before the passages are sufficiently dilated, from nar- 
rowing of the pelvic bones or other mechanical obstruction in the 
passages, from monstrous distortions or duplications in the fetus, 
or from the turning back of one of the members so that the elongated 
conical or wedge-shaped outline is done away with. Prompt as is the 
normal parturition in the mare, however, difficult and delayed par- 
turitions are surrounded by special dangers and require unusual 
precautions and skill. From the proclivity of the mare to unhealthy 
inflammations of the peritoneum and other abdominal organs, .pene- 
trating wounds of the womb or vagina are liable to prove fatal. 
The contractions of the womb and abdominal walls are so powerful 
as to exhaust and benumb the arm of the assistant and to endanger 
penetrating wounds of the genital organs. By reason of the looser 
connection of the fetal membranes with the womb, as compared with 
those of ruminants, the violent throes early detach these membranes 
throughout their whole extent, and the foal, being thus separated 
from the mother and thrown on its own resources, dies at an early 
stage of any. protracted parturition. The foal rarely survives four 
hours after the onset of parturient throes. From the great length 
of the limbs and neck of the foal it is extremely difficult to secure 
and bring up limb or head which has been turned back when it 
should have been presented. When assistance must be rendered, 
the operator should don a thick woolen undershirt with the sleeves 
cut out at the shoulders. This protects the body and leaves the whole 
arm free for manipulation. Before inserting the arm it should be 
smeared with lard. This protects the skin against septic infection 
and favors the introduction of the hand and arm. The hand should 
be inserted with the thumb and fingers drawn together like a cone. 
Whether standing or lying, the mare should be turned with head 
downhill and hind parts raised as much as possible. The contents 
of the abdomen gravitating forward leave much more room for 
manipulation. Whatever part of the foal is presented (head, foot) 
should be secured with a cord and running noose before it is pushed 
back to search for the other missing parts. Even if a missing part 
is reached, no attempt should be made to bring it up during a labor 
pain. Pinching the back will sometimes check the pains and allow 
the operator to secure and bring up the missing member. In intract- 
able cases a large dose of chloral hydrate (1 ounce in a quart of 
water) or the inhalation of chloroform and air (equal proportions) 
to insensibility may secure a respite, during which the missing 
members may be replaced. If the waters have been discharged and 
the mucus dried up, the genital passages and body of the fetus 
should be lubricated with lard or oil before any attempt at extrac- 
tion is made. When the missing member has been brought up into 
ie 
