ted from the womb and no strangulation or retarding occurs.
The foal may, however, die from the cessation of the placental
circulation unless it is speedily delivered.

WATER IN THE HEAD (HYDROCEPHALUS) OF THE FOAL.--This consists in the
excessive accumulation of liquid in the ventricles of the brain so that
the cranial cavity is enlarged and constitutes a great, projecting,
rounded mass occupying the space from the eyes upward. (See Plate XIII,
fig. 3.) With an anterior presentation (fore feet and nose) this
presents an insuperable obstacle to progress, as the diseased cranium is
too large to enter the pelvis at the same time with the fore arms. With
a posterior presentation (hind feet) all goes well until the body and
shoulders have passed out, when progress is suddenly arrested by the
great bulk of the head. In the first case, the oiled hand introduced
along the face detects the enormous size of the head, which may be
diminished by puncturing it with a knife or trocar and cannula in the
median line, evacuating the water and pressing in the thin, bony walls.
With a posterior presentation, the same course must be followed; the
hand passed along the neck will detect the cranial swelling, which may
be punctured with a knife or trocar. Oftentimes with an anterior
presentation the great size of the head leads to its displacement
backward, and thus the fore limbs alone engage in the passages. Here the
first object is to seek and bring up the missing head, and then puncture
it as above suggested.

[Illustration: PLATE XII.

NORMAL PRESENTATIONS.]

[Illustration: PLATE XIII.

SOME FACTORS IN DIFFICULT LABOR.]

[Illustration: PLATE XIV.

INSTRUMENTS USED IN DIFFICULT LABOR.]

ASCITES, OR DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN IN THE FOAL.--The accumulation of
liquid in the abdominal cavity of the fetus is less frequent, but when
present it may arrest parturition as completely as will hydrocephalus.
With an anterior presentation the foal may pass as far as the shoulders,
but behind this all efforts fail to effect a further advance. With a
posterior presentation the hind legs as far as the thighs may be
expelled, but at this point all progress ceases. In either case the
oiled hand, passed inward by the side of the foal, will detect the
enormous distension of the abdomen and its soft, fluctuating contents.
The only course is to puncture the cavity and evacuate the liquid. With
the anterior presentation this may be done with a long troca