192 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
points to a depth of half an inch or more, after which the natural 
expulsive efforts will usually prove effective. The resulting wounds 
may be washed frequently with a solution of 1 part of carbolic acid 
to 50 parts of water, or of 1 part of mercuric chlorid to 1,000 parts 
of water. 
Frrus ADHERENT TO THE WALLS OF THE womB.—In inflammation of 
the mucous membrane lining the cavity of the womb and implicat- 
ing the fetal membranes the resulting embryonic tissue sometimes 
establishes a medium of direct continuity between the womb and fetal 
membranes; the blood vessels of the one communicate freely with 
those of the other and the fibers of the one are prolonged into the 
other. This causes retention of the membranes after birth, and a 
special risk of bleeding from the womb, and of septic poisoning. In 
exceptional cases the adhesion is more extensive and binds a portion 
of the body of the foal firmly to the womb. In such cases it has 
repeatedly been found impossible to extract the foal until such ad- 
hesions were broken down. If they can be reached with the hand 
and recognized, they may be torn through with the fingers or with 
a blunt hook, after which delivery may be attempted with hope of 
success. 
Excessive size or Frerus.—It would seem that a small mare may 
usually be safely bred to a large stallion, yet this is not always the 
case, and when the small size is an individual rather than a racial 
characteristic or the result of being very young, the rule can not 
be expected to hold. There is always great danger in breeding the 
young, small, and undeveloped female, and the dwarfed representa- 
tive of a larger breed, as the offspring tend to partake of the large 
race characteristics and to show them even prior to birth. When 
impregnation has occurred in the very young or in-the dwarfed 
female there are two alternatives—to induce abortion or to wait until 
there are attempts at parturition and to extract by embryotomy if 
impracticable otherwise. 
CoNSTRICTION OF A MEMBER BY THE NAVEL sTRING.—In man and 
animals alike the winding of the umbilical cord around a member 
of the fetus sometimes leads to the amputation of the latter. It is 
also known to get wound around the neck or a limb at birth, but in 
the mare this does not seriously impede parturition, as the loosely 
attached membranes are easily separated from the womb and no 
strangulation or retarding occurs. The foal may, however, die from 
the cessation of the placental circulation unless it is speedily de- 
livered. 
WATER IN THE HEAD (HYDROCEPHALUS) OF THE FOAL.—This consists 
in the excessive accumulation of liquid in the ventricles of the brain 
so that the cranial cavity is enlarged and constitutes a great, project- 
ing, rounded mass occupying the space from the eyes upward. (See 
