4GG AMERICAN CATTLE. 



her full time of bearing young, when they generally make a regu- 

 lar preparation, or falling of the parts of generation, for a few 

 days or week before calving ; but in case of this hornedness of the 

 calf-bed, it is observed that they are backward in making these 

 necessary alterations preparatory to the approaching change; 

 and when this is noticed, more than usual observation ought to 

 be taken, for when they do not prepare in a regular manner, they 

 seldom have the efforts of nature in due course, for the delivery 

 of their burden. But when the beast is observed sick for calv- 

 ing, and has reached the end of her time, and any dread of this 

 is apprehended, there is no danger or impropriety in searching 

 with the hand, in order to be satisfied whether that part is open 

 or grown up, as previously described; yet the greatest care is 

 necessary that the enquiry be made with judgment, and the hand 

 that is introduced must be well lathered with soap and water, or 

 greased with tallow, fresh butter, or some such thing, that will 

 not cause irritation in the neck of the womb. 



"Now if it be found in the state described, in any degree, and 

 a certainty of the beast being at its full time, with the common 

 sickness and symptoms for calving, no time should be lost until 

 the animal be relieved. The difficulty greatly depends on know- 

 ing to what degree it is grown up; it is sometimes so straight as 

 not to admit the end of a finger; but with some exertion, it may 

 give so much way as that a small knife may be introduced, whose 

 blade should not be above an inch and a half in length, and verv 

 sharp, with a hollow on the back part of the point for the end of 

 the fore finger, to guide the knife when cutting, and to cover the 

 point and edge when introduced, which must be covered as much 

 as possible with the hand. Its handle ought to be short, and 

 the fore h'nger of the operator should always be kept forward on 

 the knife, to prevent any danger that might arise from the edge 

 of it. The horny circle is sometimes so hard and gristly, that it 

 takes more exertion than may have been expected from the 

 nature of the place: but as soon as it is cut through, the beast 

 will find a very material difference, and strive to void her burthen 

 if possible, when every exertion of art ought to be used for her 

 relief. When the business is happily over, the wounded parts 

 within must be taken care of by providing one pint of rectified 

 spirits of wine, camphorated, to anoint the wound, and any other 

 part which may have been exposed to the air, bruised, or over 

 distended. This may be conveyed up the neck of the womb by 



