246 NORMAL PARTURITION. 



may be added a little per-manganate of potass or chloral, may be em- 

 ployed : warm cloths being applied to the loins, the animal allowed light 

 diet, with small doses of sulphate of magnesia, and kept clean in a good 

 stable, and in a pure atmosphere. 



When the animals are old, weak, or exhausted by protracted labor, or 

 if there has been haemorrhage, stimulants should be administered, and 

 strengthening food. Sometimes the debility is so extreme, that the animal 

 scarcely gives any indication of life. There is then all the more need 

 for careful nursing and quietude. Friction to the surface of the body, 

 clothing, and a good bed are particularly necessary ; and as lactation is 

 established with difficulty in these cases, this *inust be attended to. It 

 must be borne in mind that cold and damp are dangerous immediately, 

 and indeed for some time after parturition. Therefore, when turned out 

 to pasture, care should be taken to afford protection in bad weather, and 

 damp cold localities should be avoided. 



With regard to Ewes, if the weather is mild and the situation favorable, 

 protection is not required ; but if cold winds and wet prevail, then shelter 

 is necessary. When more than one lamb is likely to be produced, the 

 first should be kept warm and receive a little Cow's milk diluted with 

 water, until the Ewe has finished lambing. Twin lambs may easily be 

 reared by a strong mother, if supplied with a sufficiency of suitable food ; 

 but, as a rule, if there are more than two, they should be put to another 

 Ewe or reared artificially. In order to overcome the repugnance so 

 oftei^pmanifested by the Ewe to a strange lamb, if its own lamb has died, 

 the foster-lamb may be rubbed with the skin of the dead creature, or ihe 

 two may be placed together during the night, or even put into a dark shed 

 along with a Dog, which will induce the Ewe to protect and take to the 

 lamb. 



The Goat is more exposed to long and difficult parturition than the 

 Sheep, and not unfrequently requires assistance. The same care is ne- 

 ' cessary as for the Sheep. 



The Sow generally suffers from weakness and prostration often parturi- 

 tion, and requires plenty of nourishing and easily-digested food. When 

 this is given there is less likelihood of the animal not devouring its young, 

 and all the more so if it is not irritated by the presence of people. 



The Bitch should not be allowed to rear too many puppies, and warmth, 

 a dry abode, and good food must not be withheld. Bitches do not 

 readily take to strange puppies ; sprinkling these with some of its milk 

 has been sometimes successful. Constipation is not unfrequent after 

 parturition, and this may be removed by castor-oil or manna. 



SECTION II. ATTENTION TO THE OFFSPRING. 



No special rules can be laid down for the management of new-born 

 animals, as this must vary more or less according to the species. How- 

 ever, there are some general rules which it may be well to observe, and 

 these we will refer to. 



With regard to the foal or other creature which may be born in the 

 foetal membranes, it is evident that it must be freed from them immedi- 

 ately, or it will perish from suffocation ; as through having no longer any 

 communication with the mother by means of the umbilical cord, the 

 blood cannot be oxygenated. If the umbilical cord is not ruptured, it 

 may be double ligatured about two inches from the umbilicus, and then 



