the bony pelvis, and the foal
passes with much greater ease than if placed with its back downward
toward the udder. When there is a twin birth the second foal usually
comes with its hind feet first, and the backs of the legs, the points of
the hocks, and the tail and croup are turned upward toward the anus and
tail of the mare. (Plate XII, fig. 2.) In this way, even with a
posterior presentation, the curvature of the body of the foal still
corresponds to that of the passages, and its expulsion may be quite as
easy as in anterior presentation. Any presentation aside from these two
may be said to be abnormal and will be considered under "Difficult
parturition."

PREMATURE LABOR PAINS.

These may be brought on by, any violent exertion, use under the saddle,
or in heavy draft, or in rapid paces, or in travel by rail or sea,
blows, kicks, crushing by other animals in a doorway or gate. Excessive
action of purgative or diuretic agents, or of agents that irritate the
bowels or kidneys, like arsenic, paris green, all caustic salts and
acids, and acrid and narcotico-acrid vegetables, is equally injurious.
Finally, the ingestion of agents that stimulate the action of the gravid
womb (ergot of rye or of other grasses, smut, various fungi of fodders,
rue, savin, cotton root, etc.) may bring on labor pains prematurely.

Besides the knowledge that parturition is not yet due, there will be
less enlargement, redness, and swelling of the vulva, less mucous
discharge, less filling of the udder, and fewer appearances of wax and
probably none of milk from the ends of the teats. The oiled hand
introduced into the vulva will not enter with the ease usual at full
term, and the neck of the womb will be felt not only closed, but with
its projecting papillae, through which it is perforated, not yet
flattened down and effaced, as at full term. The symptoms are, indeed,
those of threatened abortion, but at such an advanced stage of gestation
as is compatible with the survival of the offspring.

_Treatment._--The treatment consists in the separation of the mare, in a
quiet, dark, secluded place, from all other animals, and the free use of
antispasmodics and anodynes. Opium in dram doses every two hours, or
laudanum in ounce doses at similar intervals, will often suffice. When
the more urgent symptoms have subsided these doses may be repeated
thrice a day till all excitement passes off or until the passages have
become relaxed and prepared fo