274 GESTATION. SLINKING. CALVING. 



known to go three hundred and thirteen days, and even 

 more ; while they now and then fall short of it, and have 

 been known to calve in two hundred and twenty days. 

 If they go much over the average time, the calf will 

 generally be a male. But cows are sometimes liable to 

 slink their calves; and this usually takes place about 

 the middle of their pregnancy. To avoid the evil con- 

 sequences, so far as possible, they should be watched ; 

 and, if a cow is found to be uneasy and feverish, or 

 wandering about away from the rest of the herd, and 

 apparently longing for something she cannot get, she 

 ought to be taken away from the others. 



If a cow slinks her calf while in the pasture with 

 others, they will be liable to be affected in the same way. 



In many cases, physicking will quiet the cow's excite- 

 ment in the condition above described, and prove of es- 

 sential benefit. A dose of one pound of Epsom or Glau- 

 ber's salts, and one ounce of ginger, mixed in a pint of 

 thick gruel, should be given first, to be immediately 

 followed by the salts, in a little thinner gruel. 



When a cow once slinks her calf, there is great risk in 

 breeding from her. She is liable to do the same again. 

 But when the slinking is caused by sudden fright or 

 over-exertion, or any offensive matter, such as blood or 

 the dead carcasses of animals, this result is not so much 

 to be feared. 



But the cow, when about to calve, ought not to be 

 disturbed by too constant watching. The natural pre- 

 sentation of the foetus is with the head lying upon the 

 fore legs. If in this position, nature will generally do 

 all. But, if the presentation is unnatural, and the labor 

 has been long and ineffectual, some assistance is 

 required. The hand, well greased, may be introduced, 

 and the position of the calf changed ; and, when in a 

 proper position, a cord should be tied round the fore 



