108 EVERY MAN HIS OWN FARRIER 



the discharge of the after-birth. Some persons suffer 

 the cow to eat the after-birth: this we consider an ab- 

 surd custom, and best prevented. • 



It sometimes, but very rarely happens, that cows 

 have two calves, which they do not bring forth at the 

 same time, but after some interval. After the first is 

 born, it may be known that another is in the womb, 

 by the cow continuing very restless or agitated, look- 

 ing continually round to her flanks, having labour 

 pains, and appearing to pay little or no attention to the 

 calf already born. If she continue a considerable 

 time in this state, it will be necessary to assist nature 

 by giving the animal a pint of strong warm ale ; and 

 by irritating the nostrils with a pinch of snuff, or by 

 tickling, so as to excite sneezing. If those means fail, 

 the veterinary surgeon should be called in. 



It sometimes happens that toward the latter end of 

 gestation, or immediately after calving, the vagina 

 comes out, and sometimes the womb follows it ; this 

 is generally caused by using improper force in ex- 

 tracting the calf, or after-birih. In this case, it is ne- 

 cessary to call in the aid of a person who has been 

 accustomed to put back the parts ; as it is an opera- 

 tion not easily performed by an inexperienced person. 

 When the vagina only comes out, it will generally be 

 sufficient to raise the hind part of the cow considerably, 

 by means of litter, or otherwise, and keep the foreparts 

 as low as they can be. 



HOW TO EXTRACT A CALF WHEN IT PRE- 

 SENTS IN A WRONG POSITION. 



Farmers and dairymen, or other persons who have 

 the care of milch cows, ought to be well acquainted 



