650 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF TUB OX. 



urgent cases it may even be found advisable to fasten cords care- 

 fully round both the legs and the neck of the calf. When, how- 

 ever, the presentation is the natural one, as above described, and 

 the labour-pains are not severe, no measures of this kind should' 

 be taken, since the pains may come on and go off again for 

 some hours, and again they may return, yet again to dis- 

 appear. If, in such a case as this the mouth of the womb 

 is known to be only slightly dilated, the animal should be left 

 alone in perfect quiet for a few hours. Especially should 

 young animals with their first calves be treated in this 

 manner. 



Proprietors should not be in too great a hurry with their 

 animals at the time of parturition, although these may express 

 mud) uneasiness by continued straining. Symptoms of 

 approaching parturition have in certain cases disappeared, and 

 not returned for two or three days. 



A careful examination may be made, and, should the mouth of 

 the womb be found only partially dilated, we may safely leave 

 the animal to nature's own efforts. In extreme cases of this kind 

 one fluid ounce of tincture of opium may be administered to a 

 cow, and followed up with an ordinary aperient. 



The act of parturition is in part effected by the contraction of 

 the muscular coat of the womb, and partly by that of the 

 abdominal muscles. The mouth of the womb being freely 

 dilated, the simultaneous and repeated contractions of the uterus 

 and abdominal muscles propel the foetus, covered by its mem- 

 branes, first towards and then into the vagina. This advance 

 is assisted by its position, and also by the pushing forwards of 

 the liquor amnii. This fluid, contained within its proper mem- 

 brane, is usually called ** the water-bladder." As soon as it 

 bursts, the propulsive action of the uterus is brought to bear 

 immediately on the body of the foetus, by which means the latter 

 is expelled. 



The membranes are cast off by means of a more gradual action 

 of the uterus, by which the cotyledons are in the first place 

 detached from their connections, and then the membranes are 

 ejected by an augmentation of the propulsive power. 



After this, the womb contracts with some force upon itself, 

 and thus effectually compresses the mouths of the uterine vessels, 

 and stays the escape of blood. 



