106 EVEKY MAN HIS OWN FARRIER 



ing the cord, and losing this resource for assisting na- 

 ture in the discharge of the after-birth, while, at the 

 same time, it tends to weaken the cow. It is only 

 when the animal appears ill and depressed, and when 

 the natural efforts are evidently insufficient, that it 

 becomes necessary to introduce the hand for the pur- 

 pose of drawing off the after-birth ; but this must, be 

 done with great care^ and should not be attempted ex- 

 cept by an experienced person. 



It is improper to administer any heating drench, 

 such as that composed of urine, wine, savin, and rue, 

 (given as cleansing drenches,) by some ignorant peo- 

 ple, as they often excite fever and inflammation of the 

 uterus ; there are very few cases indeed in which it is 

 at all safe to give them, nor should such ever be em- 

 ployed except when prescribed by an experienced 

 veterinary practitioner. Inflammatory affections of 

 the intestines and womb, are invariably the result of 

 such bad management in or after calving ; and if we 

 would prevent these, we must be content to follow 

 nature and reason, and not be always striving to force 

 the one, and outrage the other. 



Gentle walking exercise, when the weather is fa- 

 vourable, often repeated j and brushing the body, es- 

 pecially the loins and under the belly, with a whisp 

 of hay or straw, or a piece of cloth, will promote the 

 expulsion of the after-birth. 



When cows are weak, or too long in cleansing, the 

 only thing to be given is toast and weak wine, good 

 cider, or perry. If wine be preferred, mix it with an 

 equal quantity of water. This toast should consist of 

 four pints of wine and water, and about a pound and a 

 half of bread toasted : cows generally eat this freely : 

 an infusion of two handsful of camomile flovvers in 

 two quarts of water, with the addition of half a pint 



