520 gp:neral diseases. 



after coat is to be painted till the part is quite black. If there is 

 fluid in the joint, remove it in the folhiwing manner, after having, 

 as already described, applied iodine very liberally. Wash a hypo- 

 dermic syringe and the needle with a hot solution of washing soda, 

 then with methylated spirit, and draw off all the fluid possible 

 from the joint. If these precautions are taken, there will be no 

 fear of further infection with the hypodermic needle. 



The urine that dribbles out of the open navel, acts as an irritant 

 to the parts (legs and abdomen) on which it falls. A good preven- 

 tive is the application of vaseline or salt-free grease on the surfaces 

 which are likely to be invaded. 



Constipation is a freqoient complication of this disease, and as 

 a rule, can best be treated through the milk of the dam, to whom, 

 with this object, a plentiful supply of carrots or parsnips with her 

 freshly-cut grass should be given. Enemas (p. 643) of water at a 

 temperature about equal to that of the blood, will also be very 

 useful. If these simple and safe measures fail, give 4 to 6 oz. of 

 linseed oil, according to the age of the patient. 



If diarrhoea appears as a complication, it can be treated in the 

 manner described on p. 427. 



PREVENTIVE- MEASURES.— Preventive measures, if properly 

 carried out, will be entirely successful. The surroundings of the 

 mare before foaling should be healthy, and, if necessary, the box or 

 stall should be disinfected, and clean straw put down in it. After 

 the foal is dropped, and as soon as the beating in the artery of the 

 cord can be no longer felt, tie the cord about an inch below the 

 skin, with an antiseptic ligature (a piece of tape which has been 

 steeped in carbolic acid or creolin will do), cut the cord below the 

 ligature with a clean knife or pair of scissors, apply the carbolic 

 acid or creolin on the cut surface and over the stump up to the 

 skin, and cover the wound with tannoform or some other suitable 

 antiseptic (p. 67). This should be repeated daily for about a week 

 or until the cord just above the string -can be safely cut off close to 

 the stump. The wound may now be treated with any suitable 

 antiseptic such as a saturated solution of iodoform in turpentine, 

 or Friar's balsam. The opening in the navel should be kept 

 thoroughly clean, and may be plugged up with a piece of cotton 

 wool which has been soaked in the antiseptic. These precautions 

 are, of course, specially applicable in studs in which this disease 

 has already appeared. 



