Dr Shalaka
INTRODUCTION
Hippomanes are Brownish/ Olive greenish, elastic formations that arise physiologically in Mares during pregnancy.
One of the first references to the hippomanes in western civilization is given by Aristotle [Circa 350 BC] .After parturition the Mare at once swallows the afterbirth and bites off the growth , called the ‘HIPPOMANES’ , that is found on the forehead of the foal .
APPEARENCE OF HIPPOMANES
This growth is somewhat smaller that dried FIG, and in shape BROAD and ROUND, BLACK in colour. Aristotle also mentions that the term ‘HIPPOMANES’ has been used incorrectly to referring it as the vulval discharge from the mares.
The GREEK DERIVATION of the word ‘HIPPOMANES’ means ‘THE HORSE MADNESS’.
MORPHOLOGY
The Hippomanes was first found in the Allantoic fluid of the PREGNANT HORSE and GRANT’S ZEBRA after a conception age of about 85 DAYS. The early Hippomanes was flat, white, oval in shape , little more than a centimetre in length .
It had a MATT surface and a ELASTIC consistency. It is not attached to the foetal membranes but it has a Specific gravity than the ALLANTONIC FLUID in which it was found.
Prior to the stage of pregnancy, small, white fleeks of tissues were present which formed sediment in the clear allantonic fluid. This sediment, after a moderate centrifugation, formed a RUBBERY, WHITE PLAQUE resembling the ‘EARLY HIPPOMANES’.
At later stages of pregnancy, the changes in colour that occurred in the allantonic fluid were reflected closely in those of hippomanes.
The flat oval shape was maintained, although it was sometimes folded in the confined space between the Amnion and Allantois. The volume of allantonic fluid remained fairly constant at 21 days from 100 days to full term, whereas the amniotic sac increased from 0.5 to 181.
In horse at full term, the single, large hippomanes attended the size of about 14×6×1.5cms was usually a mottled OLIVE BROWN and CREAM colour. The zebra hippomanes at full term were smaller when compared to mares.
Dr Shalaka PG SCHOLAR [MD PART-1]
Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica,
Government Homoeopathic Medical College And Hospital , Bangalore,
Karnataka – 560079, Email- shalaka2523@gmail.com
PG GUIDE- Dr Jyoti .A .Moolabharati
Be the first to comment