582 PAETURITION. 



and orbits ; the premature use of hooks is to be deprecated, for 

 foals, and more particularly calves, have been delivered alive minus 

 the front part of the lower jaw, and otherwise so fearfully mangled 

 as to be unfit to live. When instruments are required, in all 

 probability the foetus is already dead, and care need be exercised 

 on behalf of the dam only, to avoid wounding her and leading to 

 blood poisoning from absorption. The foetus, though having a 

 head presentation, may be upon its back, and may be delivered 

 in that position, though in a roomy mare of good temper, and if 

 time has not been lost, it is quite possible to turn it. The whole 

 secret of turning or movement of the foetus consists in pushing 

 it back, and overcoming the continuous pressure against the pelvis ; 

 all the efforts of the mare are antagonistic to the arm of the 

 operator, while in the womb, though lending such valuable aid to 

 him when exerting traction upon a head or limb outside. This 

 presentation is not attended with difficulty, unless the waters have 

 leaked away and the labour is a dry one. In such a case warm 

 water with glycerine should be injected into the uterus, even if 

 Jhg foal has to be put back to do it. 



The worst deviation from the breech presentation is that in 

 which the hooks are flexed and the foal gives one the idea of 

 standing inside the mare. To get the hock over the brim of the 

 pelvis is the difficulty, and here again the remedy consists in pushing 

 the foetus far back while endeavouring to bring one leg over the 

 brim ; the second one is brought up with less difficulty, as the 

 other limb can be pushed about while a hold is being obtained 

 below the hock. At the majority of farms one is offered oil or 

 grease of some kind for the hands, but warm water and glycerine 

 are better, the foetus being all too slippery, without adding oil of 

 questionable character into the uterus. 



Fig. 154 (p. 581) is very unsa'tisfactory, and much valuable 

 time is lost in puzzling to ascertain whether it will be best to 

 make him. turn a somersault, or by working the hand down over 

 the stifle, gradually securing one leg, and delivering breech first 

 instead of head first. 



A few common positions have been named in which the foetus 

 may present itself for delivery; there is, however, no conceivable 

 attitude in which it may not be found. While protracted or 

 difficult labour in mares is less frequent than in some other 

 animals, there is the serious disadvantage that the foal is seldom 

 born alive if any great difficulty arises in parturition ; a half-hour's 

 labour is sufficient to destroy the hopes of a living foal in many 

 cases, and it is doubtful if any survive as long as two hours. Hours 

 are more important in the mare than days in the cow. No rules 

 of procedure, here or elsewhere laid down, will be found suitable 



