Management of Calving. 321 



5. Head alone, or only one forefoot with it. 



Push the calf back and search for the fore feet or foot, 

 under the belly ; when found, bring forward one at a time, 

 by placing the hand under the knee and using gentle pressure. 



6. Belly iqnvardsy the fore legs folded and against the mother^ s 

 hachy the head, side or hind leg appearing. 



If the hind leg appear, put it back ; seek for the head, 

 and if possible turn the calf, to bring the fore feet and head to 

 the mouth. When this fails, throw the cow, put her on her 

 back, and with a rope and j)ulley, or two or three stout assist- 

 ants, raise her hind quarter considerably higher than her 

 shoulders. In this position the calf may be easily pushed 

 back in the uterus so that it can be turned and brouo:ht to 

 the natural position. 



Many surgeons make it a rule to fasten the part present- 

 ing with a cord and slip knot before going in search of the 

 part they desire to bring to the mouth. The cord is held by 

 an assistant, and serves as a guide. 



The ]3rinclpal obstetric instrument in the cow is the hook. 

 This is made of TVTought iron, four inches long, with a loop 

 for the cord at the straight end. When by no other means 

 the calf can be delivered, or when removino; a dead foetus, 

 this hook is fastened in the socket of an eye, under the jaw 

 or in an ear, and by gentle and steady traction the resistance 

 is overcome. 



Finally, the foetus may have to be taken out piecemeal, an 

 operation which requires considerable skill on the part of the 

 operator, to avoid wounding the womb and vagina, when he 

 is dissecting the calf. 



In all such operations certain general rules should be ob- 

 served, as follows : — 



1. Thoroughly anoint the hand with lard or oil, before 

 introducing it into the vagina. 



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