s, having difficulty in supporting the great weight, and in bad
cases there may be loss of appetite, stocking (dropsy) of the hind
limbs, difficult breathing, and colicky pains. The tension may lead to
abortion, or a slow, laborious parturition may occur at the usual time.

_Treatment_ consists in relieving the tension and accumulation by
puncturing the fetal membrane with a cannula and trocar introduced
through the neck of the womb and the withdrawal of the trocar so as to
leave the cannula in situ, or the membranes may be punctured with the
finger and the excess of liquid allowed to escape. This may bring on
abortion, or the womb may close and gestation continue to the full term.
A course of tonics (gentian root 2 drams, sulphate of iron 2 drams,
daily) will do much to fortify the system and counteract further
excessive effusion.

DROPSY OF THE LIMBS, PERINEUM, AND ABDOMEN.

The disposition to dropsy often shows itself in the hind and even in the
fore limbs, around and beneath the vulva (perineum), and beneath the
abdomen and chest. The affected parts are swollen and pit on pressure,
but are not especially tender, and subside more or less perfectly under
exercise, hand rubbing, and bandages. In obstinate cases rubbing with
the following liniment may be resorted to: Compound tincture of iodin,
2 ounces; tannic acid, one-half dram; water, 10 ounces. It does not last
more than a day or two after parturition.

CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS.

The pressure of the distended womb on the nerves and blood vessels of
the pelvis, besides conducing to dropsy, occasionally causes cramps of
the hind limbs. The limb is raised without flexing the joints, the front
of the hoof being directed toward the ground, or, the spasms occurring
intermittently, the foot is kicked violently against the ground several
times in rapid succession. The muscles are felt to be firm and rigid.
The cramp may be promptly relieved by active rubbing or by walking the
animal about, and it does not reappear after parturition.

CONSTIPATION.

This may result from compression by gravid womb, and is best corrected
by a graduated allowance of boiled flaxseed.

PARALYSIS.

The pressure on the nerves of the pelvis is liable to cause paralysis of
the hind limbs or of the nerve of sight. These are obstinate until after
parturition, when they recover spontaneously, or under a course of nux
vomica and (local) stimulating liniments.

PROLONGED RETENTION O