THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 161 



the neck of the uterus dilates, the foetal inembraRes present 

 themselves in the form of a watery tumor, and the parts ad- 

 mit of the delivery of the foetus. 



NATURAL LABOR. 



Natural labor consists of the presentation of the placental 

 membranes, enclosed fluid, with the head and two fore feet of 

 the foetus. In the act of natural expulsion the membranes 

 become ruptured, and the liquor amnii (water) escapes. 

 This lubricates the parts, and greatly facilitates the birth of the 

 foetus. After delivery a few after pains occur, by which means 

 the placenta or after-birth is expelled ; this completes the pain- 

 ful routine of natural labor. 



UNNATURAL LABOR. 



A cow failing to give birth after the fashion described in the 

 preceding article, and being in a state of parturition, having 

 regular uterine pains, increasing in severity as they successively 

 occur, yet no appearance of the foetus, is probably the subject 

 of false presentation. The character of this presentation must 

 be ascertained, and our efforts then directed to the replacement 

 of the part to its natural position. 



The person who intends to render assistance to the parturient 

 cow, should be clad in suitable garments ; his arms must 'be 

 bared to the shoulders, and in view of guarding against the 

 absorption of morbid virus, the person's arms should be lubri- 

 cated with glycerine or olive oil. 



The instruments required are : embryotomy knife, embryot- 

 :»my hooks, and slip-nooses. (See cut of instruments). 



FORE LEGS PRESENTING. 



The most common false presentation is that when the two 

 fore legs are advanced into the vagina, sometimes beyond it, 

 and the head turned upon the foetal body. This is occasioned 

 by the muzzle having caught at the brim of the pelvis. The 

 delivery cannot be effected until the position is changed, with- 

 14* 



