AILMENTS OF COWS AT CALVING TIME 77 



chloroform her. Have plenty of patience, and take 

 care not to force the hand through the womb. 

 When the womb is back, keep your arm in and try 

 and smooth out the inside to its normal position 

 with your hand. When the cow stops straining, 

 slip your arm out and put three or four deep tape 

 stitches through the vulva, allowing only just room 

 enough for it to pass its water. Put the cow on to 

 soft food and nurse her well. The stitches may be 

 removed three or four days later when she stops 

 straining. 



Retention of Placenta, or " After-birth. " 



This condition is commonly found in cows, the 

 great danger being that inflammation of the womb 

 will set in and that poisonous substances formed in 

 the putrefaction of the membranes will be absorbed 

 into the system and cause death. It is mostly 

 caused by premature birth, abortion, or a low 

 condition of the mother, as is seen in bad seasons 

 or with first calf. 



Method of taking it away. It is sometimes 

 customary to put a weight on the end of the " after- 

 birth." It is useful to give the animal a purgative 

 i Ib. of Epsom salts being the dose for a cow. 

 But if it is not removed by this means it must 

 be taken away by hand within two or three days 

 after calving not any later. 



There are two ways of taking it away from a 



