iv INTRODUCTION. 



It may be remarked that gestation and parturition in the domesticated 

 animals differ in several important features from these processes in the 

 human species — the differences being mainly due to the dissimilarity in 

 their respective attitudes : the quadrupedal position of the former, and 

 the horizontal direction of the trunk, giving rise to peculiarities which 

 are not observed in our own species, whose vertical and bipedal charac- 

 teristics again entail wide contrasts in this respect. 



In addition to the knowledge which has been mentioned as necessary 

 for the successful prosecution of Veterinary Obstetrics, other qualifica- 

 tions must be looked upon as essential. The practitioner must be pos- 

 sessed of great tact in manipulation, a certain amount of mechanical skill, 

 much patience, and readiness in device ; and for the larger animals, ad- 

 dress, a fair amount of physical strength, and the advantage which long 

 arms and fingers confer. 



We need not allude to the immense importance of this branch of 

 Veterinary Science from an economical point of view. The highly-in- 

 creasing value of nearly all the domesticated animals, and the necessity 

 for their multiplication to supply the demands and meet the requirements 

 of a widely-extending and rapidly-progressive civilization, renders every 

 thing connected with their reproduction of great moment and concern ; 

 while to assist creatures in the pangs of protracted or important labor, 

 and to prevent or abbreviate suffering — in all probability to preserve their 

 life — previous to, during, or subsequent to the occurrence of this physio- 

 logical act, is no less a duty than it should be a source of satisfaction to 

 the Veterinarian. 



