DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS 81 



aud complicated, and it is of the greatest economic importance 

 that special attention be given the mother at this time. It is 

 very necessary for her to be free if confined in a stall. If run- 

 ning in a pasture or lot, the necessary shelter from storms, cold 

 or extreme heat should be provided. Other farm animals, such 

 as hogs, horses and cattle, should not be allowed to run in the 

 same lot or pasture. 



When parturition commences, the mother should be kept 

 under close observation. If the labor is difficult and prolonged, 

 we may then examine the parts and detennine the cause of the 

 abnormal birth. Unnecessary meddling is not advisable. Be- 

 fore attempting this examination, the hands should be cleaned 

 and disinfected, and the finger nails shortened if necessary. 

 The different conditions to be determined are the nature of the 

 labor pains, the condition of the maternal passages, and the 

 position and presentation of the foetus. In the smaller animals 

 this examination may be difficult. In prolonged labor the parts 

 may be found dry and the labor pains violent and irregular, or 

 weak. The fcrtus may be jammed tightly into the pelvic inlet, 

 it may be well forward in the womb, the head and fore or hind 

 limbs may be directed backwards, or one or more of these parts 

 may be directed forward in such a position as to prevent the 

 entrance of the foetus into the pelvic inlet. Sometimes the 

 foetus is in a transverse position. The parts that present them- 

 selves at the pelvic inlet should be carefully examined and their 

 position determined. The necessary assistance should then be 

 given. Any delay in assisting in the birth may result in the 

 death of the young or mother, or both. On the other hand, 

 unintelligent meddling may aggravate the case and render treat- 

 ment difficult or impossible. There is no line of veterinary 

 work that requires the attention of a skilled veterinarian more 

 than assisting an irregiilar or abnormal birth. 



The attendant must guard against infecting the parts with 

 irritating germs, or irritating and injuring them in any way. 

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