CHAP. v. DIFFICULTIES IN CALVING. 121 



putrefaction, or has remained in the womb to dry and mummify, with- 

 out producing any general disturbance." 



When the term of gestation is nearly complete, the animal should 

 be kept near the homestead, in a quiet close, apart from other cattle, 

 in order that she may be under constant observation, and that assist- 

 ance may be ready in case of a difficult birth. As the final period 

 approaches, measures should be directed, by means of laxative drinks, 

 to avoid constipation. Bran-mashes are the best, the fodder being 

 diminished in quantity. Oil-cake for two weeks before calving, say 

 2 Ib. per day, will also be beneficial. If the cow should be so much 

 exhausted in calving that the throes are not sufficient to produce the 

 birth, she should have a drink composed of gruel, treacle, and salts, 

 1 Ib. of each, and ^ oz. of ginger may be added with advantage. Cows 

 sometimes calve in a recumbent posture, and care must then be taken 

 that the place at which they lie down is not on a steep descent, for in 

 such case the calf is apt to be brought prematurely forward, and, by 

 the straining and irritation which this produces, a tedious and some- 

 times dangerous calving is occasioned. When, however, the act of 

 calving has actually commenced, the operation will be aided by the 

 animal being placed on a gentle descent. 



Calving is sometimes attended with difficulties arising from the 

 bad position of the calf in its mother's womb (false presentation). 

 This evil may be greatly diminished by skilful and judicious aid. 

 The first thing to be done, in such a case, is to obtain an exact idea 

 of the position in which the calf should be placed, and its actual devia- 

 tion from that position. By gently thrusting the hand into the womb, 

 this deviation may not only be ascertained, but in most cases corrected 

 by turning the calf. The usual cause of resistance is a false position 

 of one of the fore-legs, or of the whole body, in consequence of which 

 the forehead shows itself instead of the muzzle. Force must no more 

 be applied in this case than it would be to make anything pass into 

 the gullet. Any violent traction may be fatal, where nature will assist 

 if we will only give her time. All assistance given must be guided by 

 discretion. Misdirected aid may do an infinite amount of mischief, 

 and is too often fatal. As, however, this is not the place for teaching 

 the obstetric art, we pass it over, strongly recommending all farmers 

 who pay any attention to their cattle to avail themselves of every 

 opportunity of acquiring information on this matter, since in the 

 country it is not always possible to obtain at short notice the assistance 

 of skilful veterinary surgeons. In other respects, however, it is best 

 to leave all to nature and chance ; for without proper knowledge we 

 shall be more likely to kill the cow with her calf than to save her. 



About half, or at most three-quarters, of an hour is the ordinary 

 time occupied by actual labour in the cow. 



After a cow has calved she should be left quietly with her little one, 

 in case the latter is allowed to remain with her. Many breeders, 

 however, take the calf away at once, and the cow sees it no more. 

 This is, perhaps, on the whole, the best system to pursue, save 

 in cases where a heifer has her first calf and her udder is hard, 



