jyecessa ry aid in norma l par TURITION. 2 43 



the foetus has certainly a great importance, so far as the interests of the 

 breeder are involved, as well as with regard to obstetrical operations in 

 difficult cases ; yet it has little or none so far as parturition itself and its 

 results to the mother are concerned. 



In the expulsive period, or third stage in parturition, it is usual to 

 consider such matters, as when to rupture the water-bag, and when to use 

 traction on the foetus. We will follow this custom, and notice these 

 points. 



Rupture of the Water-bag. — This should not be artificially ruptured too 

 early ; indeed, in the Cow, it should never, as a rule, be opened artifi- 

 cially, as it is always spontaneously ruptured at the proper time, and not 

 unfrequently sooner than it might be. Besides, the want of tenacity in 

 the membranes, their thinness, and the firmness of their adhesion to the 

 uterus, renders this non-interference all the more necessary. 



With the Mare, however, matters are different. In this animal the 

 foetal membranes are thick, firm, and feebly adherent to the uterus ; so 

 that the foal is sometimes born completely enveloped in them. It is, 

 therefore, well to incise them when the water-bag appears as a large 

 tumor beyond the vulva ; until this happens nothing should be done, 

 unless the os is completely dilated, and the head and feet of the foetus 

 are well in it. The membranes may be torn by the fingers, or cut by 

 scissors or a knife, care being taken not to injure the foal. 



When the water-bag is ruptured too earh^, the uterus contracts on the 

 foetus, as has been said, and becomes moulded on it; this is opposed to 

 birth. Besides, the genital passage becomes dry and adherent, and this 

 is an additional obstacle. To remedy this, recourse must be had to 

 injections into the vagina of mucilaginous fluids, milk, glycerine and 

 water, oil, lard, bran and water, or even simple tepid water, which may 

 be introduced by a funnel, the Cow's hind quarters being slightly raised. 



Traction on the Foitus. — When the membranes are once ruptured, the 

 natural expulsion of the foetus should be waited for. In some instances, 

 however, this expulsion may be conveniently assisted by judicious trac- 

 tion on the foetus. If it is in the anterior vertebro-sacral position, gentle 

 traction may be made on the pastern of each fore leg when these and 

 the head have cleared the vulva, the tractions coinciding with the throes 

 of the mother, which they should supplement, but must not supplant. 

 They ought to be made in a slightly oblique direction downwards, 

 towards the hocks of the mother, so as to allow the body of the foetus to 

 follow the curve of the pelvis ; inclining the traction a little to the right 

 and left, will also aid in passing the shoulders and afterwards, the 

 haunches. The head and neck, when they are clear of the vulva, should 

 be supported. If the foetus is in the vertebro-pubic position, the direc- 

 tion of the feet must be watched and directed, as they have a tendency 

 to press against the sacrum, and may seriously injure the passage. They 

 should therefore be seized while the}'- a^:e yet in the vagina, and brought 

 gently outside the vulva along with the head, when traction may then be 

 employed. This should at first be made upwards, so as to clear the 

 withers from the brim of the f>elvis, against which it sometimes /jams. 

 When this is effected, then the same procedure as in the other case is to 

 be adopted. 



In the vertebro-iliac positions, it is always useful, when they are recog- 

 nized in time, and before the chest has entered the pelvis, to attempt to 



