318 Diseases of Cattle, 



food. This can be remedied by giving eacli cow during her 

 pregnancy one quart of corn meal, with a teaspoonful of 

 fresh, finely ground bone every morning. It is no unusual 

 sight to see cows knawing at old bones to satisfy this natural 

 want of the system. 



The second precaution is to have a bull who is not ex- 

 hausted. He should have served no cow for a week, and 

 should be put to the female in the evening, and but once. 

 The cow should be stabled by herself for the night, and 

 kept away from the bull, or teasing steers, during the whole 

 of her pregnancy. She should be dried at least six weeks 

 before her calving date 



It should be added that the latest discussions of the sub- 

 ject endorse the opinion of Mr. Youatt, that the odor of the 

 vaginal discharges accompanying abortion are highly irri- 

 tating to the uterine system of other pregnant cows. 



CALVnrG OR PARTURITION. 



In most of the lower animals the process of child-birtb is 

 one consummated mth little pain, and few complications. In 

 the cow, however, more frequently than in any other animal, 

 the assistance of man is called for ; and this appears to be 

 especially the case in high bred and delicately nurtured ani- 

 mals. 



It should be a rule, however, to avoid giving assistance 

 until is is really necessary. Frequently by waiting patiently, 

 nature will succeed in overcoming obstacles to the exit of the 

 calf, which we might only injure by premature attempts at 

 interference. So long as the bag of waters has not burst, 

 there is no occasion for action, providing the passage of the 

 vagina is clear, and the womb is in a healthy condition. The 

 latter is subject to two irregularities, both involving what is 

 called the nech of the womb, which is that portion immedi- 

 ately above its mouth, or external opening, into the vagina. 



