MODERN FARRIER. 335 



of bearing young, when they generally make a re- 

 gular preparation, or falling of the parts of genera- 

 tion, for a few days or weeks before calving : but in 

 cases 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 observa- 

 tion ought to be taken, for when they do not pre- 

 pare in a regular manner, they seldom have the 

 efforts of nature in due course, for the delivery of 

 their burthen. But v/hen the beast is observed sick 

 for calving, and has reached the end of her time, 

 and any dread of this apprehended, there is no dan- 

 ger 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 inquiry 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, vvith the common sickness and symptoms for 

 calving, no time should be lost imtil the animal be 

 relieved. The difficulty greatly depends on know- 

 ing to what degree it is grown up : it is sometimes 

 so strait 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 very 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-finger of the operator should al- 

 ways be kept forward on the knife, to prevent any 

 danger that might arise from the edge of it. The 



