KAi:.\ii:i;s' ixsirn iKs. 7<il 



hut littlo progress is iii.-nii'. A (ip.id In'tus .-lets ms an obstacle to a rapid 

 birth. 



Treatmout.— At the tiini> of birth the sow shouUl be in comfortiiblo 

 quarters where th(»re will be no t-hauce of her l)einf; disturlted by other 

 animals, and where necessary assistance and care can be given without 

 the attendant luidergoinj; too many discomforts. The act of parturition 

 may be prolonjjed and profjress very slowly without there beinj: any 

 iihstacle to birth. The tendency on the part of the owner should be not 

 to meddle too soon, but wait until nature has had a fair chance. In 

 nearly all cases the sow is quiet and in the recumbent position and her 

 condition can be .iudged by the progress made during the labor and an 

 exploration of the parts with the hand. I'>(>fore making an cxiiloration. 

 the hands should be washed and the lingers smeared with vaseline. If 

 necessary the tinger nails should be shortened. When the hand is large 

 and the passages narrow, the lingers are all that can be inserted. This 

 will be sufficient to judge the condition of the maternal passages and the 

 position of the foetus, if it has gotten as far back as the entrance to the 

 pelvic cavity or into the passages. The explorer should conduct his 

 examination with all the care, attention and gentleness possible, and 

 take time to assure himself of the true state of affairs. After becoming 

 satisfied as to the conditions present, we should give the required assist- 

 ance. We should not go too far in assisting her, and not attempt to do 

 what nature herself could not accomplish imder more favorable circum 

 stances. For instance, if the foetus is so large or deformed in sncli a 

 way that it can not pass through the entrance into the pelvic cavity. 

 we should not attempt it. In case the sow is restless she should be 

 given a tablespoouful of tincture of opium. This can be repeatetl il 

 necessary. If the parts need dilating, fluid extract of belladoinia can be 

 smeared on the os. Dry, feverish passages can be moistened by injecting 

 into them, Avith about an eight ounce syringe, soapy, warm water. The 

 further forward the fluid is thrown the better will be the results. If 

 the expelling forces are not sufficient to expel the fietns and there is 

 no obstacle to birth, the force can be increased by administering to the 

 sow from half a dram to a dram and a half of extract of ergot, and 

 repealing the dose in half ai> hour if necessary. We must remember. 

 however, that this drug must not be given if there is innine resistance 

 to birth, and unless the animal is exhausted and debilitated. If the 

 difficulty is a malpresentation it should be corrected, with the fingers if 

 the sow is "roomy" or with wire hooks made from numlier eight wire. 

 The hooks should be crooked about half an inch and rather blunt on tlie 

 end. The shank should be j)lenty long .so that th(> operator can nianipti- 

 late them handily. These hooks are useful in heliting to extraei the 

 fivtus, l>ut are not as handy as some of the many styles of pig forceps 

 now on tiie market. After giving the necessary aid. we should wail and 

 watch residts. If our efforts h;ive iiroveii unsuccessful we musi then 



