540 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



the calf may be ascertained after the waters have been 

 seen. A cord should always be at hand to attach to the 

 fore-legs of the calf, in order that each natural exertion, or 

 throe, may be assisted. Always keep the head free from 

 obstruction. 



It sometimes happens that the passage to the uterus is so 

 contracted and sinewy as to obstruct the passage of even 

 the smallest hand ; and, indeed, even the finger, in some 

 cases. This is called horning of the lye, or calf-bed. This 

 occurs even at the last stage of gestation ; and many cows 

 cannot give birth to their calves in consequence, and not a 

 few have fallen victims to it. When the period of parturi- 

 tion has arrived, and the animal manifests difficulty in part- 

 ing with her calf, a small hand, which has been anointed 

 with hogs' lard, should be introduced into the vagina, so 

 that it may easily be effected, and it may then be as- 

 certained whether this horning of the lye has taken place ; 

 and if it should be found to be the case, recourse must be 

 had to the following operation, which, however, we would 

 recommend to be performed by a veterinary surgeon, if one 

 can be had easily ; but if not, there will be no alternative 

 but to proceed with the operation : — Procure a small, very 

 sharp knife, with a blade of about an inch and a half in 

 length, and with a hollow on the back part, near the point, 

 on which the extremity of the fore-finger must rest, to guide 

 the knife in cutting, and let the point and edge of the knife 

 be covered as much as possible, to prevent it cutting the 

 vagina. It must have a short handle, so that the fore-fin- 

 ger of the operator may always be kept forward, as far as the 

 extremity of the blade, to prevent any danger from its edge 

 cutting the sides of the vagina. With the point of the knife 

 cut the lower side of the passage to the womb, and when 

 the horny obstruction is completely divided, the animal will 



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