422 Veterinary Obstetrics 



Fleming claims that the pregnant animal suffers especially 

 from numerous affections which are seen less frequently in the 

 non-pregnant, and, according to his view, should be in some cases 

 referred to the pregnant condition. Among these he mentions 

 the cramps of the muscles of the hind limbs, which simulate 

 closely, he says, dislocation of the patella in non-pregnant ani- 

 mals, though he does not point out the difference between the 

 two affections. Since the actual character of the so-called up- 

 ward dislocation of the patella in the horse is in controversy, it is 

 not necessary for us to discuss the question of the differential 

 diagnosis, but merely to state that the occurrence of this crainp 

 is not extremely rare in the mare and that it may readily be over- 

 come, as in the so-called dislocation, by causing the animal to 

 move the affected limb and then looking after the exercise and 

 general care of the patient. 



Other veterinary writers also refer to pica, or morbid appetite 

 in pregnant animals, although no evidence is adduced that this 

 is any more common in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant 

 state, or that gestation has anything whatever to do with its 

 occurrence. It requires no special notice in reference to han- 

 dling, but should be dealt with as in the non-pregnant animal. 



The same may be said of the question of constipation in preg- 

 nant domesticated animals. The annoyance from this trouble 

 in pregnant women is well known, but it does not apparently 

 hold true in animals to any marked degree. It usually depends 

 chiefly upon too close housing and injudicious feeding and 

 should be corrected simply by removing the causes and giving 

 the animal proper attention. 



Fleming further refers, among the diseases of pregnancy, to 

 edema of the feet and limbs of the mare, which he compares to 

 that observed in woman. It is a well known fact that edema of 

 the feet and limbs is a common malady in the horse, without 

 any reference whatever to pregnancy, and it'is only natural that 

 in the pregnant state, while the animal is more quiet than usual, 

 such an edema may become emphasized. Beginning, as is 

 usual, in the lower parts of the limbs or feet, it reveals itself as 

 an infiltration of the connective tissue beneath the skin, which 

 is painless and tends to pit under pressure. The degree of this 

 edema may vary and it may gradually extend upward toward 

 the body. 



