CHAPTEK XVI. 



PREGNANCY, PARTURITION, AND THE DISEASES 

 CONNECTED WITH THEM. 



ABORTION, OR SLINKING. 



The usual period of pregnancy in a cow is nine calendar months, 

 and something over ; but there is often considerable variation in the 

 time of what seems to be a natural delivery, and when the calf is 

 likely to live. 



M. Tessier, in a Memoir read to the Royal Academy of Science at 

 Paris, says, that in one thousand and thirty-one cows, which he had 

 the opportunity of observing, the shortest period of gestation was 

 two hundred and forty days, and the longest three hundred and 

 twenty-one — difference, eighty-one days ; and counting from nine 

 months, fifty-one days over, and thirty days under. The average is 

 about two hundred and eighty-five days. 



The cow, however, is, more than any other animal, subject to 

 abortion. This takes place at different periods of pregnancy, from 

 half of the usual time to the seventh, or almost to the eighth 

 month. The symptoms of tlie approach of abortion, except the 

 breeder is very much among his stock, are not often perceived ; or, 

 if perceived, they are concealed by the cow-herd, lest he should be 

 accused of neglect or improper treatment. 



The cow is somewhat off her feed — rumination ceases — she is 

 listless and dull — the miik diminishes or dries up — the motions of 

 the foetus become more feeble, and at length cease altogether — 

 there is a slight degree of enlargement of the belly — there is a little 

 staggering in her walk — when she is down she hes longer than 

 usual, and when she gets up she stands for a longer time motionless. 



As the abortion approaches, a yellow or red glairy fluid runs 

 from the vagina — (this is a symptom which rarely or never de- 

 ceives) — her bieathing becomes laborious and slightly convulsive. 

 The belly has for several days lost its natural rotundity, and has 

 been evidently falling — she begins to moan — the pulse becomes 

 small, wiry, and intermittent. At length labor comes on, and is 

 often attended with much difficulty and danger. 



If the abortion have been caused bv bl. ws or violence, whether 



