AILMENTS OF COWS AT CALVING TIME 73 



and arm. Do not use a crutch when moving the 

 foetus inside the womb. The hand is far better, 

 not being so hard, while one can feel better what 

 is happening. When it is found necessary to intro- 

 duce the hand and arm into the womb, do not 

 introduce them cold. First dip the hand in warm 

 water to which glycerine has been added ; this will 

 make the arm quite smooth enough. Do not in- 

 troduce a questionable kind of oil into the womb. 



If the pains or throes are very strong, wait 

 until they cease. It may be necessary to raise the 

 cow's hind quarters by using bags of straw. It is 

 sometimes advisable to alter the position of the 

 foetus in the womb, either from a head to a tail 

 presentation, or vice versa, or from a back or belly 

 presentation to a front position. These are usually 

 very difficult, but often essential in order to deliver 

 the foetus. The usual way for the foetus to come 

 out is head forward that is to say, with its two front 

 legs in the passage with head and nose stretched 

 out along them. Always fix with ropes any part 

 of the foetus which comes out. This is the most 

 important point to be noticed, for should it be 

 necessary to push that part back into the womb, 

 or should it slip back by accident, it may be very 

 difficult to get it again. When one foot is bent 

 down fix the other parts presented, then push the 

 foetus slightly back and try to find the other leg. 

 It may be necessary to get a rope round the leg 



