192 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
16. Rupture of the Womb. 
This is usually a serious matter. 
Causes. — Rupture of the womb usually occurs during 
labor because of violent straining or throwing herself heavily 
to the ground or floor. 
Symptoms. — Sometimes before delivery the bowels hang 
from behind and even drag upon the ground. They soon 
become inflamed and symptoms very similar to those of 
inflammation of the bowels manifest themselves. In other 
cases the rupture is discovered when making an examination 
of the foal in the womb. If rupture be suspected after 
delivery, such may be ascertained by an examination with 
the hand. The extent of rupture may be slight or serious, 
and in cases where the bowels protrude from behind it is 
better to destroy her, as nothing can be done to save her life. 
Should it be found, by examination after delivery, that 
the womb is ruptured, the case is serious, yet there is a 
possibility of recovery if the rupture be on the upper side. 
Treatment. — Do all possible to keep down inflammation 
by the application of heat. Apply hot blankets and hot bags 
of salt to the back and in some cases it is well to apply 
mustard to the belly. Give 
Laudanum 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Sweet Spirits of Nitre.... 1 ounce or 4 dessertspoonfuls. 
Fleming's Tincture of Aconite 10 drops. 
Mix in a pint of luke warm water and give as a drench 
every six hours until the mare is relieved. It is well to 
change the salt every hour to keep up the heat. Should the 
appetite be good feed soft feed containing flax seed to keep 
the bowels loose. It is better to allow the wound to heai 
naturally because by opening it and applying medicine more 
harm than good is usually done. Should she be costive give 
raw linseed oil in drenches of a pint and injections of warm 
water containing a little castile soap, twice a day until tlie 
bowels move freely. 
17. Rupture of the Passage. 
This, too, usually occurs at the time of delivery and may 
be the result of being punctured by the legs of the foal 
because of their not coming straight. It may be the result 
of delivery of an extremely large colt. 
