AILMENTS OF COWS AT CALVING TIME 75 



impossible for the cow to deliver it in this position, 

 and any attempt to help her to do so will probably 

 kill the mother. In that case an attempt must be 

 made to change the position of the calf by fixing a 

 rope on to the forelegs. Push the foetus back and 

 then introduce the arm as far as it will go, trying 

 to turn the foetus into some better position. When 

 the foetus comes with two hind legs and tail in the 

 passage and is lying on its belly, if not too large, 

 it can usually be delivered without trouble. Some- 

 times, when it has been necessary to turn the foetus 

 from an awkward position, it will be found to have 

 been turned on to its back while the hind legs and 

 tail are coming in the passage. It is then easy to 

 deliver in this position, but great care must be 

 taken that the feet do not injure the womb. 



There are therefore many extraordinary posi- 

 tions in which the foetus may be presented, and 

 these notes are not given with the idea of being 

 hard and fast rules, except that whatever is pre- 

 sented first should be fixed with ropes so that we 

 may get it again if necessary. But our purpose is 

 that the reader may obtain some idea of how to 

 handle the different positions, the most common of 

 which have been stated. 



In all cases take plenty of time, DO NOT HURRY 

 or BE ROUGH, and try to get the foetus in the most 

 convenient position possible. Always before com- 

 mencing to work the finger-nails should be cut very 



