MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE. 



parts of the bearing (the former, as it has been said by some, in 

 old cows, and the hitter in young ones) — the appearance of a glar- 

 ing discharge from the bearing — the evident dropping of the belly, 

 with the appearance of leanness and narrowness between the shape 

 and the iidder— a degree of uneasiness and fidgetiness — moanino- 

 occasionally — accelerated respiration — all these symptoms will an- 

 nounce that the time of calving is not far off. The cow should 

 be brought near home, and put in some quiet, sheltered place. In 

 cold or stormy weather she should be housed. Her uneasiness 

 will lapidly increase — she will be continually getting up and lyino- 

 down — her tail will begin to be elevated, and the commencement 

 of the labor-pains will scon be evident. 



The natural progress of parturition should not be unnecessarily 

 interfered with. The cow should be frequently looked at, but not 

 disturbed. Although her pains may not be so strong as could be 

 wished, she should not be too closely approached or examined until 

 the water-bladder, or bag containing the fluid in which the calf has 

 hitherto floated, has protruded and is broken. Soon afterward it 

 may be proper to ascertain whether the calf is " coming the right 

 way'^ In the natural presentation of the foetus, the calf may be 

 considered as couching or lying on its belly ; its fore-legs protruding 

 into the passage, its head lying upon them, or being a httle between 

 them, and reaching down about as far as the knees, and the back of 

 the calf corresponding with or opposed to the back of the mother. 



While the throes continue tolerably strong, the farmer or practi- 

 tioner should have patience, although the progress of the labor mav 

 be tediously slow. Nature \\\\\ at length safely accompHsh he^r 

 object. But if the pains are evidently diminishing, and hour after 

 hour has passed and the calf protrudes little or not at all more than 

 it did, assistance should be rendered. X pint of sound ale, or a little 

 spirit, warmed, should be given in an equal quantity of gruel ; warm 

 gruel should be frequently administered, or at least put within the 

 animal's reach ; and access to cold water should be carefully pre- 

 vented. 



To the first pint of ale or some spirit, should be added a quarter 

 of an ounce of the ergot of rye (spurred rye), finely powdered ; and 

 the same quantity of the ergot, with half a pint of ale, should be 

 repeated every hour until the pains are reproduced in their former 

 and natural strength, or the labor is terminated. 



MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE. 



The power of medicince failing, recourse should be had to me- 

 chanical assistance, Twelve hours or more having elapsed from the 

 commencement of the labor, this should be done, even although the 

 calf may continue to he alive ; and it should not be deferred one 



