PARTURITION IN THE MARE, COW, &c., AND 

 ITS AFTER EFFECTS. 



763. Plate XLI., fig. I, shows the natural presentation seen in 

 the domestic animals, the nose being between the knees, and the 

 fore-feet protrudmg through the vulva. At a cow's first calving, 

 all the pelvic ligaments may be well relaxed, yet in some cases there 

 is a constricted band round the vulva or outer opening for about an 

 inch-and-a-half, with little or no relaxation of the parts. The owner 

 or attendants usually seize hold of the two fore-feet, and pull until 

 the shoulders and the head of the foetus are jammed tightly in the 

 passage, when, owing to the constricted condition of the vulva, the 

 head recedes, and is pressed back against the shoulders, rendering 

 delivery more difficult, but at last, by main strength, the foetus is 

 forcibly extracted, causing extensive laceration of the vaginal passage 

 and fatal haemorrhage. In these cases the hand ought to be introduced 

 into the passage, and the head of the foetus and its surroundings 

 carefully examined; a strong cord should be passed over the head, 

 behind the ears of the calf, and brought along each side of the calf's 

 face, the ends being knotted outside. Thus a loop is formed {see Plate 

 LXL, fig. 7), when, by traction on this cord, and manipulation with 

 the other hand, the head is delivered, and by carefully ^xAVmg first one 

 leg and then the othev, the foetus is extracted. 



764. Plate XLI., fig. 2, represents a case of dropsy of the belly 

 of the calf. The presentation is natural, and though there seems to 

 be plenty of room, all the force which the owner or attendants can use 

 fails to accomplish delivery. By passing the hand over the head, 

 neck, and shoulders of the foetus, the cause of the obstruction is found 

 in the distended belly of the calf. Some practitioners press a large 

 trocar through the breast or between the ribs of the calf, whichever is 

 the easier of access. For my own part I prefer passing the ordinary 

 parturition hand knife {Plate XLIX., fig. 2) between two ribs of the 

 foetus, when it and the water come away readily. 



