NECESSARY AID IN NORMAL PARTURITION. 



249 



Lambs, when able to stand, and if they do not readily find their way to 

 the teat, should have a little milk from it pressed into their mouth. With 

 twin lambs, if the Ewe is in good condition, the udder well filled, and the 

 weather and pasture favorable, both may be suckled ; in the opposite 

 conditions it maybe necessary to remove one. If the Ewe does not yield 

 sufficient milk, this may be largely remedied by giving a liberal supply of 

 good food.' 



Multiparous animals, such as the Bitch and Sow, usually lie when 

 suckling their young j so that there is seldom any difficulty with them. 

 The only care generally required in the case of young pigs, is to prevent 

 their being crushed by the Sow in the act of lying down or moving. If 

 the litter is large, plenty of good food is necessary. 



It is well to remember that if a Sow has more young in the litter than 

 teats, unless watched the weakest wiM die of starvation. Each young pig 

 has its own particular teat, to which it is persistently attached ; and if 

 the creature is ill and does not suck, or if there is not a claimant for the 

 teat, the gland there will cease secreting milk. The pectoral teats and 

 glands are the largest and most active, and the weakest of the litter 

 should be put to them. In general, a Sow should not be allowed to rear 

 more than ten in a litter. Cleanliness and warmth are required for 

 young pigs. 



Puppies do not require any special care beyond a warm, clean, and dry 

 abode. 



After the first milk has been taken, there is usually an abundant 

 evacuation of black resinous matter — meconium — from the intestines of 

 the young animal, caused by the " colostrum," as this milk is named ; 

 and it is well to notice if this evacuation occurs, as when it does not, 

 serious constipation may ensue. With new-born animals which, for some 

 reason or another, are deprived of this colostrum, a mild laxative — such 

 as castor-oil, or. honey and water — should be administered to obviate this 

 condition. 



At birth the feet of hoofed animals are covered with a soft yellow horn, 

 which in some countries it is the custom to remove, from a belief that 

 this removal hardens the succeeding horn. Tt is unnecessary to state 

 that this is a popular fallacy, and that it is really injurious to deprive the 

 foot of this temporary protection. 



The young, with their parents, should be kept apart from others — for 

 some time at least, and especially the equine species ; and it must not be 

 forgotten that a mild dry temperature is most favorable for all young 

 creatures. 



Gentle exercise is as necessary for the foal or calf, as it is for their 

 parents, a few days after birth. Therefore it is that a meadow is pref- 

 erable to a stable, as, in addition to the more favorable nature of the 

 food, sufficient exercise is afforded. Indeed, with the Mare light and 

 regular work may be imposed a short time after foaling, and with much 

 benefit to it and the foal. The latter will follow its dam, provided the 

 pace is not too fast, and a halt be frequently allowed for it to get to the 

 teat. It is astonishing sometimes to observe how well foals travel soon 

 after birth, even over bad roads and during inclement weather, and for 

 great distances, provided the journey is short each day. Huzard has 

 seen buffalo calves, born during the night, follow their mother next day, 

 and make a daily journey of six or eight leagues without appearing 

 fatigued. 



