Retention of the Afterbirth 97 



the base of the pelvic opening than it has the other way. If a cow seems 

 to be having difficulty lard the hand and arm with lard to which has been 

 added a little carbolic acid explore the opening to the womb and see if 

 the feet and head can be felt coming as they should. If they are do not 

 bother the cow for several hours after the pains begin. If the feet and 

 head are not coming right gently push the calf back as far as possib,le 

 when the cow is not straining. When she strains merely hold what you 

 have. To raise the hind quarters higher than the front may aid in push- 

 ing the calf back. After the calf is back as far as possible bring up the 

 fore feet and the head. A calf can never be born with a foot or the 

 head back neither can they be straightened until pushed back. A calf 

 can sometimes be born hind feet first. If the front feet and the head 

 are brought up to place go away and let the cow labor; maybe she will 

 have the calf without aid. After some time if the calf is not born re- 

 turn and pull on both front feet, pull gently and firm. To turn the 

 cow over on the other side may make delivery easier. The calf may 

 come easier if the cow will stand up. Lard may assist in the removal of 

 the calf. When the head gets to the opening maybe the membrane can 

 be pushed over the head. 



After the head is out work gently and easy unless the calf is choke- 

 ing. When the ribs are well out to pull toward the cow's hocks will 

 assist the birth. If wire streachers and ropes have to be used grease the 

 calf well and pull slowly lest the cow and calf both be lost. However the 

 hands are all that should be used for some time. To take calves and be 

 successful requires time and patience to let the opening naturally enlarge. 

 1 teaspoonful of pituitrin injected under the skin is often very bene- 

 ficial in aiding in calving. Make the injection in the ^oose skin of the 

 cows neck. 



RETENTION OF THE AFTERBIRTH 



In my opinion contagious abortion can be in a herd and apparently 

 healthy calves be born. This may account for the difficulty in cleaning 

 in some herds. 



After calving, especially difficult calving, the cow should be washed 

 out with 6 ounces (12 tablespoonfuls) of sheep dip placed in 1 gallon 

 of luke warm water. This can be done by the use of the funnel and 

 tube shown in cut (on page 17, fig. 7). Insert the tube and hold the 

 funnel high and have an assistant pour the dip water in the funnel. This 

 aids in the afterbirth removal. Do not take the afterbirth away before 



