CHAPTER IX. 

 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OP GENERATION. 



I. MALPRESENTATIONS, ETC., IN PARTURITION. II. PROLONGED AFTER-PAINS. 



III. RETENTION OP THE AFTKK-BIRTH. IV. ABORTION AND MISCARRIAGE. 



V. UTERINE HEMORRHAGE, OR FLOODING. VI. INVERSION OF THE VTOMB. 



VII. METRITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. VIII. PUERPERAL FEVER, 



OR METRO-PERITONITIS. IX. PARTURIENT APOPLEXY. X. LEUCORRHCEA, OR 



WHITES. XI. GONORRHCEA. XII. MAMMITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE 



UDDER. XIII. SORE TEATS. XIV. NYMPHOMANIA AND STERILITY. 



I. Malpresentations, etc., in Parturition. 



This, to the breeder at least, is the most important part of cattle 

 pathology, aside from the contagious diseases. Oftentimes a valuable 

 cow or calf, or both, are lost, when a knowledge of the subject would 

 save them. A little timely aid, properly given, in a difficult case of par- 

 turition is invaluable, but if the assistance comes tardily, or is rendered 

 in a bungling manner, the damage done may be irremediable and fatal. 



In order to be able to recognize a malpresentation, some degree of 

 familiarity with the natural presentation, and its attendant phenomena, is 

 necessary. 



The period of gestation in cows is about nine months, sometimes a few 

 days (or even weeks) more or less than this, but usually a few days 

 more. The first calf, especially, is generally carried a few days longer. 

 When the time for delivery approaches, the udder increases in size and 

 fills, the vulva enlarges and thickens, the hips spread, and the space be- 

 tween the root of the tail and the joints of the haunch drops. The time 

 being up, the cow endeavors to seclude herself and hide away from the 

 others ; the labor pains or throes come on gradually, increasing in force 

 from time to time ; in most cases, the cow lies down, — sometimes on one 

 side, and sometimes on the other, — and occasionally stretches right out. 

 The first object expelled is the water bag, which is usually about the size 

 of a man's head ; sometimes it breaks in the passage, at others it hangs 

 unbroken, as low even as the hocks. The two fore feet next present, 

 and then the nose lying between the feet. Three quarters of the labor is 

 requli-ed to expel the head ; the remainder, to pass the shoulders, after 

 which the delivery is accomplished without further effort. The cow 

 usually rises, and commencing immediately to lick the calf, in a very few 

 mioutcs has him all licked off, when he dries quickly without chilling. 



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