164: DOMESTIC Alf DIALS. 



mechanical help. It often happens, that cows which calve nnobserved, 

 do the best, and we know a very careful and successful grazier who 

 makes a point of never interfering m ordinary cases. There is certainly 

 more danger from premature assistance than from delay. Usually the 

 waters are the tirst symptoms of decided labor. A thin filmy bag first 

 breaks, and after this the cow will sometimes eat, an<l seem comfortable 

 for an hour. The second is larger and thicker, and envelops the feet 

 of the calf. When the feet are there, or one begins to protrude, the 

 other may be sought for, and when both are brought forward, mechan- 

 ical assistance may safely be rendered, if the head is found between and 

 above them. A cow tie may be strung round each foot, and cei'tainty 

 of the head being between them is a signal for a slo\y and genje pull, 

 avoiding any thing like force, and the pulling being downward towards 

 the udder. But above all things, <7/?v time. The muscles relax and gi\'e 

 way for the calf, if proper time is allowed. "When calving is over, fol- 

 low the directions formerly given in regard to the management of the 

 mother and produce, — the latter should suck, and the mother lick the calf. 



False PreSi'Iltations will sometimes take place ;— a single foot, or the 

 head, or the hind legs. In either of these cases, the operator must wait 

 for one of the throes being over, and then gently put back the calt^ and 

 introduce his hand, which has been previously oiled, and bring forward 

 the legs which are wanting. If this cannot easily be done, a veterinary 

 surgeon will be necessary. When the hind legs alone are presented, it 

 is only necessary to proceed in the nsual way. In cases of difficulty, of 

 malformation in the mother, of water in the head, or monstrosity in the 

 calf, it is always best to call in a veterinary surgeon. 



Some parties have a practice of giving every cow a calving drink. 

 We nniformly prefer, as we said, nature's medicine, the licking of the 

 calf, to any and all others which can be given. If it has been a long and 

 protracted labor, a drink of warm gruel will be nseful. If the cow refuses 

 to lick the calf, which heifers of their first calves will sometimes do, it is 

 seldom necessary to.do more than run the hand over the newly dropped 

 calt^ and then pass it across the mouth and lips of the mother. 



Abortion is a habit with some individual cows, and is often the result 

 of the presence of blood, or bad smells, arising from putrid matter 

 decaying near the cow-houses or yards ; and once introduced into a cow- 

 house, it often so aftects the imaginations of the rest, as to become 

 epidemic. Let the cow and the remains of the calf be instantly removed 

 from the rest, and kept alone and quiet. Chloride of lime should be 

 plentifully sprinkled, near the stall where she was, and the whole of th^ 

 herd should have their noses besmeared with tar. 



ll't'lcillioil of the Placenta, or failing to cleanse, after calving, sometime 

 occurs ; and it requires great care to prevent its retention, when tlu^ 

 expulsion docs not take place in a few hours after calving. It indicates 

 weakness, and want of tone in the uterus. A mild stimulant may be 

 given — nothing better than an infusion of chamomile fiowers, say two 

 handfuls in a quart of water, added to a quart of good boiled ale, and 

 if necessary, an injection of soap-suds, to keep open the bowels and pre- 

 vent infiammatory action. If it resists all eftbrts, and begins to putrefy, 

 it will be necessary to consult a veterinary surgeon. 



