DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 193 
Symptoms. — In some cases, when the mare tries to foal 
herself, you find the legs out — one out the natural passage, 
while the other is out through the aniis. In other cases, after 
the mare has foaled and is apparently all right, you first 
notice the manure coming out through the vulva instead of 
through its natural passage. Oil the hand and arm, pass 
them into the vulva and examine the passage thoroughly; if 
ruptured there will be a tear somewhere in the walls of the 
passage, generally on the upper side between it and the 
rectum. 
Treatment. — Should the puncture of the walls be caused 
by a leg of the foal, oil the hand and arm, force the legs back 
into the womb and then bring them forward properly. Keep 
her quiet, give soft feed containing flaxseed and if in the 
spring of the year allow her to feed upon grass. Should she 
be costive, give small doses of raw linseed oil, half a pint at a 
time just sufficient to keep the bowels loose. Should there 
be indications of fever or swelling behind and about the parts 
put an ounce or four dessertspoonfuls of laudanum in each 
dose of the oil. Do not attempt to stitch up the wound, 
simply inject, into the passage, four quarts of warm water 
and soap containing twenty drops of carbolic acid. This 
flows down through the rupture and has a cleansing and 
healing eflfect. Repeat the injections twice a day. It may be 
added that it is much better to allow nature to do the work 
than to depend upon medicine in cases of this nature. 
18. Inflammation of the Womb (Metritis). 
Metritis is an inflammation of the substance of the womb. 
Causes. — It is the result of difiicult cases of foaling, when 
a great deal of force is used, exposure lying on the damp 
ground, or getting a chill while warm, after delivery. 
Symptoms. — It usually occurs three or four days aft^r 
delivery. There is uneasiness, pain, and sometimes straining, 
and in straining sometimes a dark red fluid will pass from 
her. She lies down, moans and looks around at her flanks. 
The pulse is quick and wiry; the ears and legs are first hot 
and then cold. Cold sweat appears around her sides and 
flanks. The vulva is swollen, and she passes urine or water 
in small quantities. 
