232 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



should be introduced, and the fore legs of the calf laid 

 hold of and drawn down, the efiorts of the operator being 

 employed at the moment of the throes of the mother. If 

 the legs are brought forward a little way, care should be 

 taken that the head is accompanying them. The hand 

 will sometimes be sufficient for this purpose. If the 

 head cannot be moved by the hand, a cord must be pro- 

 cured with a slip-knot at the end, which is to be passed 

 carefully into the passage, and, the mouth of the young 

 animal being opened, fastened round his lower jaw. 

 The end of this must be given to an assistant, w^ho 

 should be instructed to pull gently, but firmly, at the 

 moment of the throes, while the principal operator is 

 endeavoring to draw on the feet. 



" Should not this succeed, it will appear that, either 

 from the narrowness of the pelvis, or the size of the 

 foetus, there will be difficulty and danger in accomplish- 

 ing its extraction. The operator must then begin to 

 think less of the safety of the calf, and endeavor to 

 secure that of the mother. Two other large cords or 

 ropes must be procured, and one fastened round each 

 leg. The service of two assistants will now be required. 

 One should pull at the head, and the other at the feet, 

 while the operator ascertains the progress that is made ; 

 too much force, however, should not immediately be 

 used, for the chance of saving the young one must not 

 yet be given up. This not succeeding, greater power 

 must be applied, until the assistants begin to use their 

 full strength, pulling steadily, and with the pains of the 

 cow, if they still continue. 



" In the natural position of the calf, the young one is 

 almost uniformly extracted by these means, and its life 

 is preserved ; for both the mother and her progeny will, 

 without serious injury, bear the employment of more 

 force than would by some be thought credible. When 

 the womb is unable to discharge its contents, and the 

 throes are diminishing, or perhaps ceasing, much benefit 

 may be derived from the administration of the ergot of 

 rye, which appears to act as a stimulus specifically on 

 the uterus ; two drachms of this medicine, finely pow- 

 dered, may be given in a pint of ale, and repeated seve 



