CHAP. XIX.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 373 



COW is, more than any other creature, subject 

 to abortion, which takes place at various pe- 

 riods of her pregnancy, and is technically 

 termed " slinking her calf." When this acci- 

 dent approaches, she begins to moan, with all 

 the symptoms of labour-pains ; and the same 

 means should then be resorted to as if it were 

 a natural labour. 



When the cow has calved, she immediately 

 begins to lick the calf, and should be al- 

 lowed to do so at her leisure, without any 

 interruption. It is, indeed, so dictated to her 

 by nature, that it might be thought unneces- 

 sary to give that caution, were it not that 

 ignorant people adopt the practice of taking 

 the calf away without allowing the cow 

 to cleanse it, or to swallow the placenta, 

 or "after-birth," which follows parturition. 

 This, besides its being disgusting, arises 

 from an idea that it would be seriously in- 

 jurious to her health : whereas, the slime of 

 the calf, as well as the after-birth of the cow, 

 probably form the best physic that could be 

 given to her; for cows eat the excrement 

 with avidity, and nature seems to have in- 

 tended it for them as a medicme, nor has 



