30 BEEEDING OF 



but if the labor is normal the mare will expel it in from 

 five minutes to half an hour after the first actually visi- 

 ble symptom of pain. The cow from half an hour to 

 two days. Sheep from fifteen minutes to three hours. 



Fig. 5. Mare in the act of parturition. 



EXPULSION OF FETAL MEMBRANES OR 

 AFTER-BIRTH. This may occur soon after birth, or 

 it may be delayed for a variable period. It is unusual 

 for the after-birth to be retained for more than an hour 

 or two in the mare, but in cows it is frequently retained 

 for several days. It may be generally said that there is 

 no great need of removing the retained membranes by 

 mechanical means for a week or more after birth, unless 

 there is a high external temperature of the atmosphere, 

 or unless the genital organs are abraded, or if there is 

 frequent straining, and especially if there are fetid or 

 bad smelling discharges from the vagina. In these 

 cases it is necessary to remove the decomposing mem- 

 branes as soon as possible. 



Fleming advises that when necessary the retained 

 membranes be removed from the uterus of the cow by 

 passing in the hand and gently tearing away the mem- 



