HYGIENE OF PREGNANT ANIMALS. 



153 



organ representing the uterus, and the skin and some vessels. It may be 

 remarked, however, that Rainard witnessed an instance of this abdominal 

 inclusion in a goose. The egg was double the ordinary size, and it had 

 another inside of about the ordinary dimensions ; each- had a perfectly 

 formed shell. The subcutaneous tumors of young animals, containing 

 either a whole foetus or Dortions of a pre-existing one, are common in 

 animals. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 Hygiene of Pregnant Animals. 



The hygienic measures to be observed in the management of animals 

 during gestation are, in general, those which should prevail always, irre- 

 spective of this condition. But besides these general principles, there are 

 a few particular precautions to be attended to, in order that this period 

 may be safely and successfully passed through, and these precautions are 

 all the more necessary as the period of birth approaches. Unlike the 

 human female, pregnant animals do not require those careful, numerous, 

 and minute attentions so essential to her health and the welfare of her 

 offspring ; indeed, too much nursing and pampering, by removing animals 

 further from their natural condition, is unnecessary, and likely to do more 

 harm than good. 



When an animal is believed to have been fecundated, it should not be 

 allowed near the male again ; as in the artificial state in which domesti- 

 cated creatures are usually kept, attempts at coitus may do harm ; though 

 it must be confessed that among Cows the bull often remains in the same 

 pasture with them, and they calve as regularly and as safely as if they 

 were not so exposed. 



With those animals which are employed in labor — as the Mare, and 

 sometimes the Cow — it is well not to work them severely nor fatigue them 

 much, and particularly as pregnancy is advanced ; and, on the other hand, 

 absolute repose is pernicious. Exercise is most beneficial, and the most 

 difficult cases of parturition occur among animals to which this is denied. 

 The pregnant Mare will accomplish ordinary and accustomed work, par- 

 ticularly if it be slow, without any harm, perhaps with benefit, until the 

 seventh, eighth, or ninth month, when more care must be observed ; but 

 moderate exercise should always be allowed up to the period of parturi- 

 tion. Harness is preferable to saddle work for pregnant Mares ; and fast 

 trotting, galloping, jumping, travelling over broken ground, or severe and 

 sudden exertion, injuries, or shocks of any kind, are to be avoided — in 

 fact, extremes should be guarded against. 



If the animal must be employed for riding, the use of spurs should be 

 interdicted, because of the sudden contraction of the abdominal muscles 

 which their application induces, and which may lead to abortion. 



Should the animal not be usefully employed in this way, then it ought 

 to be regularly exercised in hand, or placed in a paddock provided with 

 shelter from inclement weather. 



The Cow, if employed in labor, may be worked moderately until the 

 sixth or seventh month. If kept for milk production, the milking should 

 also cease about this period ; though with well-fed Cows it is often pro- 

 longed until near parturition. Nevertheless, there can be no doubt that 



