172 Veterinary Elements. 



the natural position, the head between the two fore feet; 

 if the head is down and the fore feet presented, rope 

 each foot, push them forward and try to raise the head 

 and bring it towards you along with the feet. The 

 stockman will on examination, better understand the 

 conditions than from any written directions, and will be 

 successful according as he adapts himself to meet these 

 conditions. Mares and cows are more easily delivered 

 when in the standing position; if they lie down the work 

 becomes harder to perform. In cases of difficult delivery 

 in ewes an assistant may be got to hold the ewe with the 

 hind legs up in the air, the head down, thus throwing 

 the bowels downwards and consequently giving more 

 room to work, or the ewe may be turned on her back, 

 but kept in this position only for a short time. In ani- 

 mals running overtime Nature is generally allowed to 

 take its course; it might be advisable in mares that have 

 gone overtime, and who have had milk in their udders 

 for a few days, to attempt delivery. 



Attention to the Newborn. The treatment of the young 

 animal is not very formidable, as stated; remove the 

 membranes, clean out the mouth and nostrils; examine 

 also to see if the newborn has the natural apertures for 

 the passage of urine or feces. In some cases attention 

 to the navel and its cord are necessary, especially in the 

 foal, the navel string should be cut about one and one- 

 half inches from the body and securely tied and thor- 

 oughly dressed with some good antiseptic daily, until it 

 dries up, shrivels and drops off. In lambs, calves and 

 pigs slight scraping of the finger nail on the cord will 

 sever the string and prevent bleeding. If life seems 



