72 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



THE TREATMENT OF NORMAL PARTURITION. 



It may happen that the veterinarian is called to super- 

 intend a case of normal parturition in the cow. The practi- 

 tioner under such circumstances would observe many a 

 thing with which the beginner, of course, should acquaint 

 himself. 



Provide sufficient room and a soft bedding when the first 

 signs of approaching parturition announce themselves. Suffi- 

 cient room is easily obtained by removing cows on the right 

 and left. Since the cow moves about, lies down and rises during 

 the preliminary stage, more room is required. In stables where 

 we find behind the stall a gutter for faeces and urine, a board is 

 best placed upon it, which may be looked upon as an elonga- 

 tion of the stall. This board is covered with straw. Now the 

 hind legs of the cow cannot step into the gutter nor can they 

 suddenly slip into it during violent throes. 



At each birth sufficient assistance and material should be 

 present. By sufficient help I mean that two strong persons 

 besides the obstetrician are ready to assist in traction when 

 such is indicated. As sufficient material I designate : two or 

 three ropes; two round sticks, each 32 cm. long and 4 cm. in 

 diameter, being a little thicker in the middle than at their ends ; 

 500 g. linseed oil, soap, lukewarm water and some towels. In 

 some cases, when the udder is so enormously swollen that the 

 cow cannot lie down, it may become necessary to empty the 

 udder. This often renders the previously excited animal quiet, 

 and the act of parturition begins. 



For the present nothing else is necessary but to watch the 

 animal. The preparatory stage may be a long one in the cow, 

 in some cases half a day and more; in some animals this stage 

 occasionally escapes our observation, as the cervix uteri is 

 already dilated on our arrival. Cases of slow parturition or a 

 prolonged preliminary stage should not worry us too quickly. 

 When it extends over more than four hours, an exploration per 

 vaginam, under proper precautions, to ascertain the state of 

 the cervix, may be instituted. 



