DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 191 
and could be removed piecemeal by forceps. Fortunately, mares 
affected in this way rarely breed.. 
FECAL IMPACTION OF THE RECTUM.—In some animals, with more or 
less paralysis or weakness of the tail and rectum, the rectum may be- 
come so impacted with solid feces that the mare is unable to discharge 
them, and the accumulation both by reason of the mechanical ob- 
struction and the pain caused by pressure upon it will impel the 
animal to cut short all labor pains. The rounded swelling surround- 
ing the anus will at once suggest the condition, when the obstruction 
may be removed by the well-oiled or well-soaped hand. 
SpasM OF THE NECK OF THE womB.—This occurs in the mare of 
specially excitable temperament, or under particular causes of irrita- 
tion, local or general. Labor pains, though continuing for some time, 
produce no dilatation of the neck of the womb, which will be found 
firmly closed so as to admit but one or two fingers; this, although the 
projection at the mouth of the womb may have been entirely effaced, 
so that a simple round opening is left, with rigid margins. 
The simplest treatment consists in smearing this part with solid 
extract of ‘belladonna, and after an interval inserting the hand with 
fingers and thumb drawn into the form of a cone, rupturing the 
membranes and bringing the fetus into position for extraction, as 
advised under “ Prolonged retention of the fetus.” Another mode 
is to insert through the neck of the womb an ovoid rubber bag, 
empty, and furnished with an elastic tube 12 feet long. Carry the 
free end of this tube upward to a height of 8, 10, or 12 feet, insert 
a filler into it, and proceed to distend the bag with tepid or warm 
water. 
FIBROUS BANDS CONSTRICTING OR CROSSING THE NECK OF THE WOMB.— 
These, occurring as the result of disease, have been several times 
observed in the mare. They may exist in the cavity of the abdomen 
and compress and obstruct the neck of the womb, or they may extend 
from side to side of the vagina across and just behind the neck of the 
womb. In the latter position they may be felt and quickly remedied 
by cutting them across. In the abdomen they can be reached only by 
incision, and two alternatives are presented: (1) To perform embry- 
otomy and extract the fetus piecemeal, and (2) to make an incision 
into the abdomen and extract by the Cesarean operation, or simply to 
cut the constricting band and attempt delivery by the usual channel. 
Frer0vus CONSTRICTION OF VAGINA OR VULVA.—This is probably al- 
ways the result of direct mechanical injury and the formation of 
rigid cicatrices which fail to dilate with the remainder of the pas- 
sages at the approach of parturition. The presentation of the fetus 
in the natural way and the occurrence of successive and active labor 
pains without any favorable result will direct. attention to the rigid 
and unyielding cicatrices which may be incised at one, two, or more 
