372 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. xix. 



calf."* " While the throes continue tolerably 

 strong, the attendant should have patience 

 until nature accomplishes her object ; but if 

 the pains are evidently diminishing, and hour 

 after hour has passed without any appearance 

 of the calf, a pint of sound ale, warmed, 

 should be given in an equal quantity of gruel ; 

 warm gruel should also be frequently admi- 

 nistered, or at least put within the animal's 

 reach, and all access to cold water should be 

 carefully prevented. To this, should the 

 difficulty increase, an addition has been re- 

 commended by the eminent practitioner just 

 quoted, of a quarter of an ounce of the " er- 

 got of rye," finely powdered, and this to be 

 repeated every hour until the pains are repro- 

 duced in their former strength.! Although 

 not attended with danger, we know, however, 

 of several Instances in which it has failed, and 

 we should advise the immediate assistance of 

 the cow-doctor ; or, if danger be apprehended, 

 of an able veterinary surgeon. 



Whether from fright, or from ill treatment, 

 or from being teased by other animals, the 



* Skellet on ' The Parturition of the Cow,' p. 113. 

 t Youatt on ' Cattle,' ji. 535. 



