RETROSPECTS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 403 
commenced six weeks sooner than was expected. The foetus 
being unusually large, and the pelvis not sufficiently relaxed, 
will probably account for the rupture of the organs named. 
No signs of oestrum afterwards returned, and as the owner 
particularly wanted her for the purpose of breeding, on 
account of her good qualities, he disposed of her by sale about 
twelve months afterwards. 
FATAL EFFECTS OF TWIN IMPREGNATION AND HYDRO- 
METRA IN A MARE. 
The subject was an aged mare, whose racing career had 
terminated, she having won golden honours. She was now 
snugly located at (C The Paddocks’ 5 under special care, and 
great expectations existed respecting her produce, she having 
been served by “ Orlando” at Hampton Court. 
As the time drew near for her delivery, her noble owner 
requested my frequent attendance, in order that everything 
both by way of assistance and precaution should be supplied 
in case of need. Her extreme size was a subject of apprehen¬ 
sion as well as joyful anticipation, for whilst the existence 
of two foals was supposed from an examination, still the 
presence of a large quantity of fluid within the womb was 
dreaded. 
Her full time at length arrived without there being any 
signs of secretion of milk, or relaxation of the pelvis. 
From day to day a visible increase in her size had taken 
place, which on measurement was now ascertained to have 
reached to thirteen feet round the centre of the back and ab¬ 
domen. Symptoms of uneasiness resembling slight colic at 
length came on, which were not relieved by medicine. The 
abdomen grew so tense and hard, and in places pitted, that 
I feared a giving way of the muscular parietes, and strong- 
bandages were therefore placed around the body. These 
being drawn too tight, the animal fell as stiff and rigid as in 
death. She, however, recovered, and was assisted to rise. 
After a time her sufferings appeared to be greatly miti¬ 
gated, as shown by calmness, absence of pains, and her 
resuming the taking of food and drink. 
She was left for the night, but early next morning I was 
called to her, when an extensive rent was found to have 
taken place in the right iliac region, from which the small 
intestines escaped. The poor creature was fast sinking, and 
as a humane procedure the carotid artery was opened. 
Shortly after death a postmortem examination was made. 
Upon opening the abdomen the uterus, excepting some 
