DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 641 



when the cow is about to expel the foetus from the womb, 

 and in doing so we shall learn that it oftentimes happens that 

 just a little assistance of the right kind is sufficient to aid the 

 efforts made to perform this act, the most important, arduous, 

 and dangerous of all nature's operations. It is, indeed, to be ex- 

 pected that great and grave difficulties should attend upon the act 

 of parturition ; but great as they are, they can fortunately often 

 be easily obviated. In very many cases where obstacles to the 

 act of expulsion are met with, the assistance of a good practi- 

 tioner will bring about a saving of the life of both the parent 

 and the offspring. Yet it is to be borne in mind that, though 

 simple when thoroughly understood, still there is not one of the 

 processes of life which is so apt to puzzle and confuse the 

 inexperienced so much as this one with which we are about 

 to deal. 



The subject we are now in due course dealing with is one 

 which, at first sight, is apt to appear exceedingly intricate. 

 Indeed, the topic seems to present such difficulties as almost 

 lo deter many people from really trying to comprehend it. 

 Nevertheless, it is one of great importance, and if we succeed 

 therefore, in clearing away some few of the cobwebs which 

 cluster around it, we shall be quite satisfied with the result of 

 our efforts. 



Still, we cannot but feel a little afraid that we may not succeed 

 so well as we should like to do in our attempt to set forth the 

 phenomena of reproduction in the case of the cow, so that our 

 readers may readily and easily understand what we say. We 

 shall, however, proceed to do our best in order to clear away- 

 some of the obstacles which present themselves, and we hope 

 that our indulgent readers will excuse any shortcomings we 

 may display, resting satisfied if they are enabled to gather up 

 some valuable hints here and there, although they may not 

 follow us in every observation we make. 



Indeed, the act of parturition is in reality, when clearly 

 grasped, a very simple and a very interesting one ; but it is too 

 often looked at from a vague and confused point of view which 

 leads to all kinds of most absurd and even fatal mistakes in 

 practice. This statement applies not only to cattle, but also to 

 nearly all living beings which require and receive help in that 

 most important of all nature's operations. 



41 



