142 
CASE OF DIFFICULT PARTURITION IN THE 
MARE, WITH REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONS 
OF MR. CALLEY. 
By Wm. Aitkin, M.R.C.Y.S., Kilmarnock. 
In the Veterinarian for November last, at page 649, there is 
a communication from Mr. A. Calley, Kirkton by Burntisland, 
headed u A Mare destroyed from difficult foaling.” 
After giving a very minute and graphic account of the 
case and its termination, he puts some questions, and adds, 
that you will confer an additional favour by appending what 
comments and remarks on the case, and on the points he 
suggests, which you may think proper for the practical 
management of similar cases. 
I have looked over the numbers for December and January 
in the expectation of finding answers to Mr. Calley^s queries, 
and also for your comments on the case, but not finding any, 
1 venture to send you the following account of a case, one of 
several of the kind which I have had, both in mares and 
cows, and which, I think, will so far be a reply to the first 
question. 
On the 30th April, 1839, I was called to attend a large¬ 
sized five year old draught mare, the property of Mr. John 
Young, Kilmaurs Mains, about four miles from town. The 
mare was at her full time with her first foal. 
On my arrival, about 7 o'clock a. m., 1 was told, that on 
the servant going to the stable early in the morning he found 
the mare in the act of foaling, and that the fore feet were 
presenting, but although the mare strained violently no 
progress was made. It was thought there must be some¬ 
thing wrong, and consequently I was sent for. On making 
a vaginal examination, I found that the head of the foal 
was out of my reach, and apparently placed under the 
body of the foetus—extending backwards. As the mare was 
standing, and very restless and unmanageable, kicking fear¬ 
fully when approached, one of the men was ordered to place 
himself at her head and keep her as steady as possible. One 
fore foot was also tied up as further security against her 
doing any one an injury. Placing myself at a convenient 
height for the purpose, I proceeded to return both the fore 
legs of the foetus, and with the “ breast staff ” endeavoured 
to push back the body, with a view of bringing up the head, 
but in this I completely failed. 
