DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS. 175 



pound. This is a valuable precaution against infecting the cow by 

 introducing putrid ferments into the passages and against poisoning 

 of the arm by decomposing discharges in case the calving is unduly 

 protracted. When labor pains have lasted some time without any 

 signs of the water bags, the dropping in at the sides of the rump, 

 and the other preparations for calving being accomplished, the hand 

 should be introduced to examine. When the water bags have burst 

 and neither feet nor head appear for some time, examination should 

 be made. When one fore foot only and the head appear, or both 

 fore feet without the head, or the head without the fore feet, exam- 

 ine. If one hind foot appears without the other, make examination. 

 The presenting limb or head should be secured by a rope with a run- 

 ning noose, so that it may not pass back into the womb and get lost 

 during the subsequent manipulations, but may be retained in the 

 vagina or brought up again easily. In searching for a missing mem- 

 ber it is usually better to turn the head of the cow downhill, so that 

 the gravitation of the fetus and abdominal organs forward into the 

 belly of the cow may give more room in which to bring up the miss- 

 ing limb or head. If the cow is lying down, turn her on the side 

 opposite to that on which the limb is missing, so that there may be 

 more room for bringing the latter up. Even if a missing limb is 

 reached, it is vain to attempt to bring it up during a labor pain. 

 Wait until the pain has ceased and attempt to straighten out the 

 limb before the next pain comes on. If the pains are violent and 

 continuous, they may be checked by pinching the back or by putting 

 a tight surcingle aroung the body in front of the udder. These fail- 

 ing, 1 ounce or 1^ ounces of chloral hydrate in a quart of water may 

 be given to check the pains. If the passages have dried up or lost 

 their natural, lubricating liquid, smear the interior of the passages 

 and womb and the surface of the calf, so far as it can be reached, 

 with pure fresh lard; or pure sweet oil may be run into the womb 

 through a rubber tube (fountain syringe). In dragging upon the 

 fetus apply strong traction only while the mother is straining and 

 drag downward toward the hocks as well as backward. The natural 

 curvature of both fetus and passages is thus followed and the extrac- 

 tion rendered easier. 



LABOR PAINS BEFORE RELAXATION OF THE PASSAGES. 



Any of the various causes of abortion may bring on labor pains 

 before the time. Straining comes on days or weeks before the time, 

 and there is not the usual enlargement, swelling, and mucous dis- 

 charge from the vulva. There is little or no falling in by the sides 

 of the root of the tail; the abdomen has hot dropped to the usual 

 extent, and the udder is less developed and yields little or no milk. 

 In spite of the pains no water bags appear, and the oiled hand cau- 



