80 THE BREEDING OF ANIMALS 



If the labor pains have already proceeded for some time, 

 it may at first be found somewhat difficult to return the 

 foetus to the uterus. In all cases it will be useless to 

 attempt to push back the unborn animal during the severe 

 labor pains. But as the resting period and consequent 

 relaxation follow each severe contraction, the foetus may 

 be gradually pushed back. It is sometimes helpful par- 

 tially to suspend the hind quarters of the pregnant mother 

 by roping the feet and hoisting the hind quarters so that 

 they will be somewhat higher than the forequarters, and 

 in this position it is generally easier to accomplish the 

 return and readjustment. In most cases in which the 

 foetus and mother are in normal health and condition, 

 the foetus may be expelled without great difficulty after 

 readjustment, that is, provided the mother has not 

 become too severely exhausted by long-continued labor. 

 In such case it is necessary to render aid by supplement- 

 ing the mother in her efforts to expel the foetus. 1 



LACTATION 



The young of most mammalian animals are born into 

 the world in an immature and often quite helpless condi- 

 tion. In most species the newborn animal is unfit to 

 live and thrive independently. In particular the nutri- 

 tive functions of the very young mammal are not 

 developed to a point where the individual can immedi- 

 ately exist on the food consumed by the mature parent. 

 To provide nourishment for the very young animal, all 

 mammals are provided with mammary glands which 

 secrete milk. 



J See Law, " Diseases of Cattle," 1908, and " Diseases of the 

 Horse," 1907, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



