g of the two ropes is adjusted around the
vulva, the two ends of the one rope are carried up on the right and left
of the tail and along the spine, being wound around each other in their
course, and are finally tied to the upper part of the collar encircling
the neck. The remaining two ends, belonging to the other rope, are
carried downward and forward between the thighs and thence forward and
upward on the sides of the belly and chest to be attached to the right
and left sides of the collar. These ropes are drawn tightly enough to
keep closely applied to the opening without chafing, and will fit still
more securely when the mare raises her back to strain. It is desirable
to tie the mare short so that she may be unable to lie down for a day or
two, and she should be kept in a stall with the hind parts higher than
the fore. Violent straining may be checked by full doses of opium
(one-half dram), and any costiveness or diarrhea should be obviated by a
suitable laxative or binding diet.

In some mares the contractions are too violent to allow of the return of
the womb, and full doses of opium one-half dram, laudanum 2 ounces, or
chloral hydrate 1 ounce, may be demanded, or the mare must be rendered
insensible by ether or chloroform.

RUPTURE, OR LACERATION, OF THE WOMB.

This may occur from the feet of the foal during parturition, or from
ill-directed efforts to assist, but it is especially liable to take
place in the everted, congested, and friable organ. The resultant
dangers are bleeding from the wound, escape of the bowels through the
opening and their fatal injury by the mare's feet or otherwise, and
peritonitis from the extension of inflammation from the wound and from
the poisonous action of the septic liquids of the womb escaping into the
abdominal cavity. The first object is to close the wound, but unless in
eversion of the womb this is practically impossible. In the last-named
condition the wound must be carefully and accurately sewed up before
the womb is returned. After its return, the womb must be injected daily
with an antiseptic solution (borax, one-half ounce, or carbolic acid, 3
drams to a quart of tepid water). If inflammation threatens, the abdomen
may be bathed continuously with hot water by means of a heavy woolen
rag, and large doses of opium (one-half dram) may be given twice or
thrice daily.

RUPTURES OF THE VAGINA.

These are attended with dangers similar to those belonging to rupture of