PARTURITION, OR CALVING 505 



PARTURITION, OR CALVING. 



In most instances animals do not require the 

 aid of man in bringing forth their young, as nature 

 works her own ends. The principal thing to be 

 attended to, is to have the animal placed in a dry 

 and warm situation. But, as it is possible, that 

 a wrong presentation or an accident may occur, it 

 will be proper to have a person watching the animal 

 when parturition is near at hand. 



The natural presentation of the calf is with its 

 head and fore-feet, the muzzle resting between the 

 feet, with the back of the animal upwards. Mr 

 Downing, a veterinary surgeon, who had much 

 experience, enumerates seven different preternatural 

 presentations ; namely : 



i st. Reverse, or with the tail and hind-quarters 

 first. This position being favourable for extraction, 

 if the calf be a small one, let nature take its course, 

 but assist the animal in a speedy delivery, to prevent 

 the possibility of suffocation. Let the haunches be 

 pressed back with the palm of the hand, and seize 

 the bend of the hough of one leg, and pull it until 

 the foot is reached, which will facilitate the extraction 

 of both feet. 



2nd. The fore-feet first, the head not being 

 visible. Get hold of the nose or face-bone, and 

 place the head in its proper position, between the 

 fore-legs. This requires the arm of the operator 

 to be stretched its full length, being careful that the 

 fingers are firmly fixed, so that advantage may be 

 taken of every throe, as it occurs. 



3rd. The side belly upwards, the head being 

 reversed over one shoulder, the legs appearing. 



