306 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



not require any treatment, as it will pass away as 

 soon as the mare foals, but if it is great and some 

 time before the animal's time of foaling it will be 

 necessary to give her some medicine. Take nitrate 

 of potassium two ounces, and divide into six doses, 

 and give one twice daily in the water the animal 

 drinks, or a small bran mash. This quantity may 

 be repeated if necessary. There is no danger of 

 this medicine doing the mare any harm, and it will 

 assist in removing the swelling. 



Signs of Parturition in the Cow. — There is great 

 looseness of the vulva, and a giving way of the 

 ligaments of the pelvis, and the udder is usually 

 distended with milk. When the time for delivery 

 is near at hand the animal becomes restless and 

 separates from the others, lies down, rises again 

 quickly, and shows signs of pain. This may con- 

 tinue for some time before parturition takes place. 

 When active labor pains set in the first symptom 

 is the appearance of the inner membrane of the 

 covering of the foetus, the amnion, called the 

 water bag. Soon the fore feet make their appear- 

 ance, and if everything is right, the head, resting 

 on the knees, shows itself. If the foetus is not 

 too large interference is unnecessary. There is 

 often mischief done by being too hasty, as in some 

 cases nature takes considerable time to prepare 

 the parts. Usually the mare is only a few minutes 

 after the commencement of labor, but in the cow, 

 even when the parts are all right, it may be an 

 hour or more before it is accomplished. If the 

 animal has been in labor for some time and no 



