CORRESPONDENCE. 
329 
About six weeks ago I was summoned to see a common-sized 
mare that was reported to me to be in labor. Upon inquiry, I 
ascertained that this was her third foal. She had not experi¬ 
enced any trouble during the previous births. The service this 
time, however, was by a large Clydesdale horse. 
The mare was worked regularly every day, on a farm, and 
given a box stall at night. . On the evening I was sent for, she, 
after working, was tied up in a single five and one-half foot stall. 
At 5 o’clock she was noticed in pain. The colt presented ante¬ 
riorly, and all went well, until the hips became engaged in the 
pelvic inlet. No further progress could be made. I reached my 
patient about 8 o’clock. Found her down ; pulse, 70, and weak; 
hurried respiration; temperature, 103° Fah. The straining was 
violent. 
The colt, as stated, was partially out of the vagina, while 
alongside and beyond it was seen lying on the floor, the large 
colon, much increased in size and congested. 
I gave no hope of the animal’s recovery, but at the earnest 
request of the owner to “ do something,” I began preparing an 
opiate, while an assistant was constantly fomenting the distended 
colon. Before I was ready to administer any medicine, the mare 
overcame the men who were holding her, and attempted to get 
up. This she partially did, and fell back upon the bowel, rup¬ 
turing it, and allowing the escape of its contents. I then 
directed that the mare be destroyed. 
Upon post-mortem next morning, I found the colt to be very 
large, but not abnormal in any way. There was a laceration of 
the left lateral wall of the vagina, through which the intestine 
escaped. 
I would be glad to know if the colon preceded the foetus, or 
if it could be passed out by the side of the foal during the 
severe straining of the mare ? Also, what would have been the 
prospects of recovery could I have returned the bowel and re¬ 
moved the colt ? J. A. Myers, D. V.S. 
[We are of the opinion that the colon followed the foetus, 
after laceration of the uterus by kicks, or severe straining, and 
that there was no chance of recovery.— Ed.] 
