THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 173 



this exposes the whole of the thoracic viscera, which I remove. 

 If the bulk of the calf appears to be sufficiently reduced to 

 insure its extraction, I affix a noose to the remaining fore leg 

 and by traction remove the carcase ; the only difficulty in the 

 way of a prompt extraction occurs, ofttimes, in consequence of 

 the foetal head being bent round on the opposite side of the 

 chest ; but under ordinary circumstances the calf can be 

 extracted without proceeding to disembowel it, or decapitate it. 

 If however, either of the latter operations, will facilitate the 

 birth of the calf I should certainly perform one or the other 

 or both. 



Having extracted the whole of the foetus, I next remove the 

 placenta and membranes, and then drench the cow with fluid 

 extract of ginger, half an ounce ; tincture of matico, one ounce; 

 warm water, one quart ; this will improve the condition of the 

 prostrate animal and insure contraction of the uterus. 



The uterine expulsive power, so favorable to the liberation 

 of the calf, if dormant, can readily be aroused by administering 

 a stimulating drench. 



TREATMENT OF COWS DURING PREGNANCY. 



The cow is the only animal with which I am acquainted, that 

 yields milk regularly, during the trying and prostrating proba- 

 tion of pregnancy ; she has not only to yield milk for the profit 

 of her owner, but she must also furnish an identical preparation 

 for the nourishment of the foetus in utero. Then again, the 

 integrity of her own system requires that her digestive organs 

 shall furnish enough of chyme and chyle for the manufacture 

 of good rich blood, to repair incidental and extraordinary wear 

 and tear of her system; therefore she should be well fed, and 

 cared for ; any stinting or miserly economy in the feeding of 

 pregnant cows is very poor policy, and is a sort of starvation 

 procedure, which can never be expected to pay. 



It is impossible for the cow to discharge these treUe duties 



unless she be generpusly fed on nutrimental agents, containing 



the necessary equivalents. I am aware that most cows are too 



well fed (see article on " feeding " ), hence milk fever and other 



15* 



