210 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



calving has been difficult and prolonged ; the birth of the calf with 

 its head enveloped in the fetal membranes, so that it has been un- 

 able to breathe, and the presence of tenacious phlegm in the mouth 

 and nose, acting in the same manner. 



Besides the importance of proper care and feeding of the cow 

 as a preventive measure, attention should be given at once to relieve 

 the newborn calf of its investing membrane and of any mucus that 

 has collected in mouth or nostrils. Wiping out the nose deeply with 

 a finger or feather excites to sneezing, hence to breathing. Blowing 

 into the nose has a similar effect. Sucking the nostril through a tube 

 applied to it is even more effective. Slapping the chest with the 

 palm of the hand or with a towel dipped in cold water, compression 

 and relaxation alternately of the walls of the chest, may start the 

 action, and ammonia or even tobacco smoke blown into the nose may 

 suffice. Every second is precious, however, and if possible the lungs 

 should be dilated by forcibly introducing air from a bellows or from 

 the human lungs. As the air is blown in through bellows or a tube 

 the upper end of the windpipe must be pressed back against the gul- 

 let, as otherwise the air will go to the stomach. In a large dairy a 

 piece of elastic tubing one-third of an inch in bore should be kept at 

 hand for sucking and blowing in such cases. 



BLEEDING PROM THE NAVEL. 



This may occur in two conditions when the cord is cut off 

 too close to the navel and left untied and when it tears off at the 

 navel. It may also bleed when torn across naturally, if it is sucked 

 by the dam or another calf. In an animal with little plasticity to 

 its blood it will flow under almost any circumstances. Where any 

 cord is left it is always safe to tie it, and it is only when it is swollen 

 and may possibly contain a loop of the bowel that there is danger 

 in doing so. By pressing upward any bulk contents such danger 

 is avoided. If torn or cut too close to be tied the bleeding may 

 be checked by applying alum, copperas, or for a fraction of a sec- 

 ond the end of an iron rod at a dull-red heat. If much blood has 

 been lost it may be requisite to transfuse several ounces of blood or 

 of a weak common-salt solution into the open umbilical vein. 



URINE DISCHARGED THROUGH THE NAVEL (PERSISTENT URACHUS) . 



Before birth the urine passes from the bladder by a special 

 tube through the navel and navel string into the outer water bag 

 (allantois). This closes at birth, and the tube shrinks into a fine 

 cord up to the bladder. It is only in the bull calf that it is likely to 

 remain open, doubtless because of the long, narrow channel through 

 which the urine must otherwise escape. The urethra, too, is some- 

 times abnormally narrow, or even closed, in the male. If part of 

 the cord remains tie it and allow the whole to wither up naturally. 

 If the cord has been removed and the tube (urachus) protrudes, 

 discharging the urine, that alone must be tied. If there is nothing 

 pendent the urachus must be seized, covered by the skin, and, a 

 curved needle being passed through the skin and above the duct, it 

 may be tied along with this skin. A blister of Spanish flies, causing 



