NECESSARY AID IN NORMAL PARTURITION. 



245 



Another remark is with reference to the operator. In exploring the 

 genital passages, gentleness and tact should be scrupulously observed, 

 and the hand and arm should be well oiled, the nail of the fingers being 

 cut at least moderately short. It requires some experience to be able 

 to ascertain, by the sense of touch, what parts of the foetus present, and 

 those which are an obstacle to birth ; as well as knowledge to guide one 

 in placing the parts in a favorable position, and particularly in one which 

 approaches what we have designated the " natural " presentation. The 

 time chosen for exploration should be the interval between the labor 

 pains, and care must be taken not to rupture the membranes, should they 

 still be intact. The exploration may be made while the animal is stand- 

 ing or lying ; both positions have certain advantages, though the first is 

 generally preferable, and is certainly less fatiguing. 



It must not be forgotten that, when traction is required, this should be 

 slow and moderate, and only applied when the animal itself makes ex- 

 pulsive efforts. In many cases the resistance to be overcome is often 

 very slightly superior to the forces exerted by the parturient animal. 

 Violent and sudden traction is to be deprecated, as it may inflict serious 

 injury, while doing little, if any thing, in aiding delivery ; and even should 

 this be effected, it must be remembered that the contractile power of the 

 uterus is deranged when the contents of the organ are attempted to be , 

 suddenly and forcibly removed. The simplest and safest traction is that 

 made by the hands of the operator — for both hands may, in some cases, 

 be introduced into the vagina. Should he not have sufficient strei^th or 

 purchase, an assistant may clasp him around the chest and pull at and 

 with him — gradually and steadily during the throes. But we shall recur 

 to this subject again. 



B. After Labor. — The attention to be paid to the mother after par- 

 turition will differ not only according to the species to which it belongs, 

 but also according to its temperament, strength, and the kind of labor 

 which it has undergone. When this has been natural, and the animal is 

 vigorous and not much fatigued, simple hygienic measures are all that is 

 necessary. It should be kept comfortable, with plenty of pure air, but 

 away from draughts. If it has been perspiring, the body, and particularly 

 the belly, should be well wisped if it is a larger animal ; indeed this fric- 

 tion is always to be recommended, as it often allays the restlessness which 

 sometimes persists after delivery, regulates the circulation, and appears 

 to hasten the retraction of the uterus. It may be necessary to cover the 

 body with a blanket, as the animal is very susceptible to cold at this 

 period. A gallon or so of nourishing, tepid gruel, or even soup, may be 

 given ; after which the diet should be moderate and easily digested. 

 Clean dry litter should be plentifully supplied, and the animal left alone 

 for half an hour or so, after which it may be visited, offered more gruel, 

 and the offspring assisted to the teat, if it has not already found it. From 

 three to eight, or even fifteen days' rest should be allowed, according to 

 circumstances ; and in order to permit lactation to be fully established, 

 and the animal quite recovered. 



When parturition has been protracted, and the animal has suffered 

 much, and especially if the generative organs have been bruised and in- 

 flamed, nursing should be continued longer, and greater precautions 

 adopted. Every care ought to be taken to prevent metritis or metro- 

 peritonitis ; and with this object in view tepid vaginal injections, to which 



