140 SWIXl': IX AMERICA 



questions it is not worth while to scold her or give her a 

 moral lecture. Just turn her into the fattening pen; for 

 there is where she helongs." 



DIFFICULT PARTURITION 



Of this Dr. W. B. Niles of the Iowa experiment 

 station, says : "The first indications of farrowing should 

 be noted and the sow then carefully watched (but with- 

 out disturbing her), so that in case of difficult birth the 

 necessary assistance can be given at once. Early help 

 often saves the pigs, and almost always the sow. Delay 

 is fatal to the mother and often to the litter as well. An 

 examination usually shows the dil^culty due to an un- 

 usually large pig or to one in an abnormal position. 

 Slight traction, while, the obstructing pig is alive and 

 labor pains strong, will g^enerally insure delivery, but if 

 assistance is delayed several hours the labor pains become 

 weak, the pigs die and swell to two or three times the 

 natural size, making delivery impossible. In some in- 

 stances the services of a veterinarian can be secured, but 

 often unless the owner is prepared to deal with these 

 cases himself lo^s will ensue. Often the removal of the 

 obstructing pig will be followed by the natural birth of 

 the remainder, but at other times every pig must be 

 sought and removed, frecjuently with the utmost diffi- 

 culty. 



"The delivery of the obstructing pig requires careful, 

 ({uiet manipulation, the sow being disturbed as little as 

 possible. Many patterns of 'pig forceps' are on the mar- 

 ket, but I have found none superior or equal to a simple 



