410 LACERATION OF THE VAGINA AND RECTUM OF A MARE. 
was informed by the horseman that on first entering the stable 
he found one foot of the foal protruding from the vagina, 
and that in consequence of this state of things he called the 
shepherd to his assistance. His account was as follows :—“ I 
found the other foot propping and pointing upwards towards 
the spine, and after pulling it downwards into position, the 
next pain sent the head into the place which the foot had 
previously occupied, and a second pain forced the head 
through the passage and out at the anus. 5, The foal was 
alive, but to effect delivery the head was cut off, which 
enabled them to push back the neck into the vagina, and 
accomplish delivery. 
The mare looked anxious and unsettled. Her head was 
held high up, and she was paddling with the hind legs, and 
whisking the tail occasionally. The pulse and respiration 
were both somewhat quickened. On an examination being 
made per vaginam , I was enabled to pass my hand through a 
large rent, and to touch the forefinger of the other hand, 
which I had passed into the rectum. The edge of the lesion 
in the rectum was nearly the length of the finger from the 
'outlet. An anodyne and aperient ball was given, and the 
mare moved quietly away from among the other horses to a 
loose box. The parts were well fomented, and anointed with 
lard, the only thing at hand. Directions were left to repeat 
the fomentation if the uneasiness did not soon subside, and 
also to carefully remove any accumulation of faeces which 
might take place. 
28th.—I found the mare with her tail up, and straining, 
that is, making ineffectual efforts to evacuate her faeces. On 
examining the rectum a quantity of dung was found wedged 
in it, the removal of which evidently gave relief. A clyster 
pipe was passed just within the anus, and warm water poured 
down the tube with a pitcher until the rectum was 
thoroughly cleansed. The injured parts were then dressed 
with Tinct. Myrrh. Co. and 01. Olivae, and a small lump of lard 
was placed in the rectum to lubricate the parts and help the 
passage of the faecal matters. The pulse and respiration were 
tolerably quiet, and the mare would eat all which was allowed 
her. 
29th, 10 p.m.—A messenger came to say the mare was 
worse in her breathing, and so very stiff in the hind quarters 
that she could not move. On arrival I found the stiffness 
and difficulty was more in the fore extremities, and that 
metastasis of morbid action to the fore feet had taken place, 
but was not particularly severe. Pulse 60, and full. Aloes 
5iv c. Hydr. Chlor. 5 j were given with a fever draught, and 
