252 



THE LAMBING PERIOD 



legs and head delivered it is usually comparatively easy to complete 

 the birth, although there are cases where the shoulders are so large 

 that it is hard to get them through. One of the best ways to assist 

 in the delivery of the head is to pull steadily on the fore legs and 

 press in on the vulva just back of the lamb's head. Professor 

 Kleinheinz, 2 of the University of Wisconsin, says that he has found 

 it to be of assistance to smear rifw linseed oil in the outer part of 

 the vagina just above the lamb's head. This makes the interior 

 of the vagina more slippery and serves to dilate it further. After 



FIG. 171. Proper position of lamb in the uterus of the ewe for normal birth. 



the head and feet are delivered, the shepherd should pull on the 

 fore legs outward and down toward the ewe's udder in order to 

 deliver the shoulders. After the shoulders come through, the birth 

 of the lamb is practically completed. 



There are instruments for dismembering the foetus in case either 

 the ewe or the lamb is so abnormally developed that delivery cannot 

 be effected in any other manner. This is a last resort and since 

 the life of the ewe is the whole consideration great care should be 

 taken to avoid such injury to the womb as will cause her death. Just 

 before starting to operate the instruments should be sterilized and 

 2 See "Sheep Management and Breeds of Sheep," by Kleinheinz. 



