The bowels of the foal at birth contain a considerable amount of faecal matter, consisting of the solid remains of bile, and other secretions thrown out by the mucous membrane of the intestines during foetal development. Usually this is discharged soon after birth as a soft greenish or yellowish brown feculent substance. In some cases, for reasons which we cannot assign, this material becomes hard and dry, and is unduly retained.

The foal is noticed to keep raising the tail, arching the back, and posing as if to dung, and now and again straining without effect. Here a little timely help is needed to clear the bowels of their hard contents. For this purpose an enema of warm glycerine and water may be injected into the bowel, and repeated, if necessary, two or three times during the day. Should this fail to effect removal of its contents, a small dose of castor-oil should be given without delay, in a little warm fresh milk. If the constipation becomes habitual in the foal, the dam must be allowed an extra supply of carrots or green food, and a couple of ounces of sulphate of magnesia mixed with the food every day for three times.

Foals, when born before the full term of gestation has been reached, are sometimes discharged enveloped in the foetal membranes or after-birth, and, as they are then disconnected from the dam, respiration is only possible by exposure to the external air; it is necessary, therefore, that the membranes be promptly removed. This having been done, breathing may be set in motion by a little artificial respiration, sprinkling the face with cold water, or the application of a smelling-bottle to the nose.

It is of the first importance that the after-birth be promptly removed from the box and buried in some unfrequented place, and sufficiently deep to guard against its being exhumed by dogs.

The milk of mares which foal prematurely is always scant and of indifferent quality for the first two or three days, and may require to be supplemented by milk from another mare or from the cow.

At the time of birth and for some time afterwards, foals often present an unshapely and awkward appearance. Their hocks or knees, or both, are acutely flexed, and their fetlocks may almost touch the ground. The limbs give the impression of being incapable of supporting the weight of the body (Plate XL). In many instances the advice of the writer has been sought as to whether animals so deformed should not be destroyed. It should, however, be remembered that where there is no bending of bones, or shortening of ligaments or tendons, the foal invariably " straightens up ", and the deformity gradually disappears as growth proceeds. In those cases where the bending of the joints is due to contraction of the tendons, the defect may be remedied by mechanically stretching, or dividing the latter by a surgical operation.