500 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



The only malpresentation met with is the transverse. In this pre- 

 sentation instead of the head or breech presenting, it is the side, 

 back or belly. In prolonged parturition the maternal passages be- 

 come dry and the passage of the foetus along them is greatly inter- 

 fered with. In case of debility and exhaustion, the expelling powers 

 are weak in comparison with the resistance to be overcome, and but 

 little progress is made. A dead foetus acts as an obstacle to a rapid 

 birth. 



Treatment. At the time of birth the sow should be in com- 

 fortable quarters where there will be no chance of her being dis- 

 turbed by other animals, and where the necessary assistance and 

 care can be given without the attendant undergoing too many dis- 

 comforts. The act of parturition may be prolonged and progress 

 very slowly without there being any obstacle to birth, and the ten- 

 dency on the part of the owner should be not to meddle too soon, 

 but to wait until nature has had a fair chance. In nearly all cases 

 the sow is quiet and in the recumbent position, and her condition 

 can be judged by the progress made during the labor, and an ex- 

 ploration of the parts with the hand. Before making an explora- 

 tion, the hands should be washed and the fingers smeared with vase- 

 line. If necessary, the finger nails should be shortened. When the 

 hand is large and the passages narrow, the fingers are all that can 

 be inserted. This will be sufficient to judge the condition of the 

 maternal passages and the position of the foetus, if it has gotten as 

 far back as the entrance to the pelvic cavity, or into the passages. 

 The explorer should conduct his examination with all the care, at- 

 tention and gentleness possible, and take time to assure himself of 

 the true state of affairs. 



After becoming satisfied as to the conditions present, we should 

 give the required assistance. We should not go too far in assisting 

 her, nor attempt to do what nature herself could not accomplish 

 under more favorable circumstances. For instance, if the foetus 

 is so large or deformed in such a way that it cannot pass through 

 the entrance into the pelvic cavity, we must not attempt it. In 

 case the sow is restless, she should be given a tablespoonful of tinc- 

 ture of opium, and if necessary, the dose should be repeated. If 

 the parts need dilating, fluid extract of belladonna can be smeared 

 on the os. Dry, feverish passages can be moistened by injecting 

 into them with about an eight ounce syringe, soapy, warm water. 

 The further forward the fluid is thrown, the better will be the re- 

 sults. If the expelling forces are not sufficient to expel the foetus 

 and there is no obstacle to birth, their force can be increased by 

 administering to the sow from half a dram to a dram and a half of 

 extract of ergot and repeating the dose in half an hour if necessary. 

 We must remember, however, that this drug should not be given if 

 there is undue resistance to birth, unless the animal is exhausted 

 and debilitated. 



If the difficulty is a malpresentation, it should be corrected 

 with the fingers if the sow is "roomy," or with wire hooks made 

 from number eight wire. The hooks should be crooked about half 



