MANAGEMENT OF THE FOAL 
87 
mant vessels incarcerated in the decomposing tissues are seriously ex¬ 
posed to bacterial invasion. 
“It is thus a common clinical observation that purulent infection of the 
navel is greatly favored by the process of ligation, and the more improper¬ 
ly ligated the greater the danger. Admittedly a navel cord may he safely 
ligated. If the cord is divided at the proper point, the Whartonian gela¬ 
tine thoroughly pressed out and the stump ligated under perfect aseptic 
precautions, followed by the application of an aseptic covering, and its 
retention in position and in an aseptic state (a very difficult task with 
domestic animals), the operation is safe. 
“Another method by which infection apparently takes place is through 
the medium of flies, which are attracted to the cord while it is yet moist 
after birth. These filth carriers, having previously been in contact with 
infected wounds or putrid organic matter, carry the infection to the 
navel. Foals born during fly time very frequently suffer from navel in¬ 
fection. 
“Handling . . We provide the breeder with a desiccating antiseptic 
powder for application to the navel cord as soon as the foal or other 
young animal is born. This powder may be variously compounded, but 
should consist of reliable antiseptics having a distinct desiccating power. 
We would suggest, for such a powder, equal parts of iodoform, tannin, 
oxide of zinc and starch, all finely powdered and mixed. The oxide of 
zinc might be displaced by calomel, or the latter might be added to the 
compound suggested. Quite as good, or perhaps even superior is a powder 
consisting of equal parts of desiccated alum, gum camphor and starch 
finely powdered and thoroughly mixed. The latter mixture is especially 
efficient in keeping flies away from the moist cord. 
“For the application of such a powder, the owner or veterinarian should 
first thoroughly cleanse and disinfect his hands. If the navel has be¬ 
come soiled, it also should be cleansed and disinfected. The navel cord 
should not be tied. We have already stated our objections to ligating 
the cord. If it is unruptured, the caretaker, after disinfecting his hands 
should pull, tear or scrape the cord in two, under antiseptic precautions, 
at a distance of about two or three inches from the navel, after which, 
with the thumb and finger, he should press out from the stump the 
Whartonian gelatine and fluids. After this has been well done, the 
powder should be dusted over the stump of the navel very freely and 
repeatedly, until the remnant of the cord has become completely desiccat¬ 
ed and the navel hermetically sealed. 
“If the application is repeated three or four times at intervals of one- 
half hour, the stump of the cord is well mummified within two to four 
hours and the danger from infection is eliminated. The horse-breeder 
should be impressed with the fact that the efficacy of the remedy depends 
wholly upon the early and thorough application, and that any delay or 
carelessness is liable to vitiate the result. 
“Antistreptococcic serum has been heralded as a valuable prophylactic 
against this infection, but is wholly needless. Local cleanliness is ample, 
and other means superfluous or worse. Few diseases of animals are 
more subject to safe, convenient and economic prevention than navel 
infection of the new-born. Its success calls for fidelity to cleanliness on 
the part of the owner, preceeded by timely and intelligent advice by the 
veterinarian.” Williams. 48 
Imperforate Anus 
“In considering the development of the embryo, we have learned . . . 
that at an early period in its history the posterior gut ends blindly, and 
opposite to it upon the external surface, there appears a depression in 
