ATTENTION DURING LAMBING. 263 



the passing of the head with his fingers rather than forcibly 

 extracting i^— the particular attention of the shepherd being 

 given to these points. This may be effected by passing the 

 fingers up the rectum until he feels the back of the lamb's head, 

 and then urging it forwards at the same time that he gently 

 pulls the legs. Sometimes the head is sufficiently advanced, but 

 the legs are too backward. In this case the head must be 

 gently pushed back, and the hand being well oiled must be 

 introduced into the vagina and applied to the legs so as to place 

 them in their natural position, equal to the head. Should the 

 forefeet, on the other hand, protrude, they must in like manner 

 be returned, and the same assistance given to advance the head. 

 If the hind quarters present themselves first, the hand must be 

 applied to get hold of both the hind legs together, and draw 

 them gently but firmly : the lamb may often be easily removed 

 in this position. It is no uncommon occurrence to find the head 

 of the lamb protruding, and much swollen ; but still, by 

 patience and gentle manipulation, it may often be gradually 

 brought forward ; or even nature, not unduly interfered with, 

 will complete her work if the pelvis is not very much deformed. 

 Should, however, the strength of the mother be rapidly wasting, 

 the head may be taken away, and then the operator, pushing 

 back the lamb, may introduce his hand, and, laying hold of the 

 fore legs, effect the delivery. It also happens that the legs are 

 thrust out to the shoulder, and from the throes of the animal it 

 is not possible to replace them so as to get up the head of the 

 lamb ; by partially skinning the legs you may disunite them 

 from the shoulder-joint, there will then be room for the intro- 

 duction of the hand, and by laying hold of the head you can 

 deliver the ewe. A single season of practice will do more than 

 volumes of writing to prepare the farmer for the preceding and 

 some other cases of difficult Jabour. But let him bear in mind 

 that, as a general rule, the foetus should, if possible, be placed 

 in its natural position previously to any attempt to extricate it 

 by force. When force must be used, it should be' as gently as is 

 consistent with the object of delivery." 



We have ventured upon this lengthened quotation because 

 the writer puts his experience and advice in remarkably clear 

 language. We entirely endorse his remarks, and again draw 



