716 ON BLEEDING IN RETARDED PARTURITION. 
I also had the opportunity of examining two mares belonging to 
Lord Monson. One was a bay mare that had failed two or three 
years to Mr. Theobald’s Laurel. His lordship was very anxious 
for a foal, she being a very favourite mare, and, therefore, perse- 
vered year after year. I was fortunate enough to hear the wished- 
for indication, and she has now a very promising filly. The other 
was a pony, with regard to whom my prediction was also verified. 
In neither of these cases was there any pendulous condition of the 
abdomen, or a single external symptom to guide the examination, 
or lead any one to suspect that the mares were with foal. 
Let it, however, be remembered, that it is not the absolute use 
of the stethescope I advocate, but auscultation , whether direct or 
indirect ; being convinced there are many who will apply the naked 
ear with more advantage and success to the abdomen than the 
stethescope, particularly those who are not accustomed to its use. 
With regard to the possible danger of making these examina- 
tions, it is true that caution should be observed, as, indeed, it 
must in all operations and observations ; but, an assistant having 
the fore foot in his hand, he can always give the examiner suffi- 
cient time to get away, provided the mare should be restless or 
wilful. The twitch may also be used, though I much object to it, 
if by any means it can be avoided, as it produces a general disturb- 
ance in the circulation. Percussion is most important, not only as an 
adjuvant to enable us to discover the precise situation of the uterine 
tumour, but it likewise prepares the mare for the application of the 
stethescope, by removing the surprise which its immediate use will 
sometimes occasion. Of course, every care must be taken to avoid 
all source of noise that may in any way interrupt us in our explora- 
tion, or cause us to confound the intestinal movements, &c. with 
the sound of which we are in search. 
I must still trespass on the attention of the readers of The 
Veterinarian while I detail a point of practice which I have 
had recourse to in parturient mares, and with most decided effect : 
it is that of bloodletting, when the mare has been completely ex- 
hausted by her ineffectual attempts to expel the foetus, owing to 
the extreme rigidity and unyielding condition of the uterus and 
external parts. Fortunately, from the beneficence displayed by 
nature throughout the period and process of utero -gestation, our 
duties in these cases are few and simple ; but instances will some- 
times occur where the practitioner is called upon to exert all his 
skill and energy on the appearance of alarming symptoms, and 
much tact is necessary to discriminate the proper time and the assist- 
ance required. The loss of blood in these cases tends to advance 
the labour, by producing relaxation about the uterus and vagina. 
The quantity of blood to be taken away must, of course, be regu- 
