ndant
should assist it to rise and see that it is regularly fed. It is only in
extreme cases that the animal refuses to suck its dam. During warm
weather, and especially if the ground is dry, such a patient is always
better off for a little sunshine, but on no account must it be left out
during extreme heat, as in this state it is very liable to sunstroke.
The best food for the mare is grass, which, during the day, she can
generally have. The inflamed joints of the foal should be rubbed lightly
with the following, after being thoroughly mixed: Red Iodide of Mercury,
two drams; Vaseline, two ounces, every forty-eight hours, which, when
applied to the skin, appears to have a well-marked antiseptic action on
the underlying tissues. An inflamed joint should on no account be bathed
with warm water, fomented or poulticed because the application of moist
heat would be the best possible means for promoting the development of
the infective germs which are the cause of the local and general
disturbance. The open navel-string should not be ligatured because that
operation is generally followed by an increased inflammation of the
part, and by an aggravation of the other symptoms apparently on account
of this outlet for deleterious products becoming blocked up. If the
navel-string has been ligatured and is in an inflamed state, the
ligature should be removed without delay. If the foal is constipated
give two to three ounces of Castor Oil; also, administer the following:
Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one-half dram; Hyposulphite of Soda, four ounces.
Mix and make into thirty-two powders. Give one powder well back on the
tongue every four hours.

As a supplement to the food, we may give brown sugar or treacle, both of
which are easily digested and are very nourishing. Four or five eggs
daily will also aid in keeping up the strength.

NAVEL RUPTURE

(Umbilical Hernia)

CAUSE: Hereditary predisposition is well marked in this complaint. It
may exist at birth, but so-called congenital rupture may very probably
be the result of the pulling which the navel-string underwent at the
time of foaling. However, umbilical hernia usually occurs during the
first two or three months after birth; that is to say, while the opening
at the navel is becoming obliterated and the tissues at that place are
becoming consolidated. They can, however, appear later and may result
from more or less violent strains sustained when the foals are jumping
or playing.