90 
PURE BRED DRAFT HORSES 
very long and does not spontaneously rupture so promptly. It consequent¬ 
ly affords an opportunity for mischief-making for attendants, who may so 
fix the arteries with a ligature that they cannot retract. 
“. . . Zundel claims that in some individuals a predisposition to um- 
bilic hemorrhage exists. Fleming alludes to the possibility of hemorrhage 
occurring from the umbilic cord when the animal is several days old. Per¬ 
haps in this case he is dealing with secondary hemorrhage due to an 
infection of the artery, probably as a result of ligation of the cord without 
proper antiseptic precautions. It is claimed also that hemorrhage may 
be caused by the umbilic cord rupturing too close to the umbilic ring, 
though why this should be so does not appear. 
“Whatever the cause of umbilic hemorrhage, such cause needs be re¬ 
moved if possible, in order to control the escape of blood. If the cord is 
too long, and perchance has been ligated, it should be divided at the 
proper point by scraping or tearing. In the foal, the point for division 
is about two to three inches from the umbilic ring. After the division 
of the -cord, the Whartonian gelatine is to be pressed out, the arteries per¬ 
mitted to retract into the abdominal cavity, when hemorrhage must 
necessarily cease. If for any reason the artery does not retract, it should 
be separated from the surrounding tissues and carefully ligated under 
antiseptic precautions. Should hemorrhage from the umbilic vein occur, 
it is advisable to search for the vessel and place a ligature about it. The 
ligation of the cord itself as advised by some, is not sufficient, because 
the arteries or vein may not be included, as they may have broken at a 
point higher than that at which the ligature is applied. In such cases 
ligation would tend to favor, rather than prevent the hemorrhage, be¬ 
cause it would simply prevent the blood from escaping from the amniotic 
covering of the cord, which has been converted into blood, causing the 
ligature to be pushed off. 
“In a general way we may best avoid umbilic hemorrhage by permit¬ 
ting the cord to rupture spontaneously, or by rupturing it at the proper 
point by linear tension, laceration or ecrasement. We should avoid divid¬ 
ing the cord by cutting.” Williams. 48 
Rupture of Intestines 
“In rare instances, rupture of the intestines may occur during par¬ 
turition, either because they are over-filled or weakened at the time, or 
because an intentional loop becomes engaged between the pelvic inelt and 
an unyielding portion of the fetus as it advances along the birth canal. 
Fleming cites Schaack as having observed one instance of a rupture of the 
intestine by its becoming compressed between the fetus and the pelvic 
bones. 
“The symptoms of such an injury, especially in the mare, would be 
those common to rupture of the intestine, and would consist chiefly of 
collapse, with very feeble or indistinguishable pulse, trembling and cold 
sweats. It is well-nigh impossible to make a positive diagnosis of this 
condition during the life of the animal, and it can merely be suspected 
from the general symptoms. It is not possible to apply any effective 
method of treatment.” Williams. 48 
Prolapse of the Intestine through the Ruptured Walls of the TJterus or 
Vagina 
“When a perforating wound or rupture of the walls of the uterus or 
vagina occurs at any point, it is possible for a protrusion of the intes¬ 
tines to follow. This prolapse, however, does not ordinarily follow when 
a wound is made through the walls of the vagina or uterus in the non- 
pregnant animal. The prolapse is probable only in those cases where 
