196 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



care being taken that the oil or lard is fresh, neither salted nor rancid, 

 and that it has been purified by boiling or rendered antiseptic by the 

 addition of a teaspoonful of carbolic acid to the pound. This is a valu- 

 able precaution against infecting the cow by introducing putrid fer- 

 ments into the passages, and against poisoning of the arm by decom- 

 posing discharges in case the calving is unduly protracted. When 

 labor pains have lasted some time without any signs of the water bags, 

 the dropping in at the sides of the rump, and the other preparations for 

 calving being accomplished, the hand should be introduced to examine. 

 When the water-bags have burst and neither feet nor head appear for 

 some time, examination should be made. When one fore foot only and 

 the head appears, or both fore feet without the head, or the head with- 

 out the fore feet, examine. If one hind foot appears without the other, 

 make examination. The presenting limb or head should be secured by 

 a rope with a running noose, so that it may not pass back into the 

 womb and get lost during the subsequent manipulations, but may be 

 retained in the vagina or brought up again easily. In searching for a 

 missing member, it is usually better to turn the head of the cow down 

 hill, so that the gravitation of the fetus and abdominal organs forward 

 into the belly of the cow may give more room in which to bring up the 

 missing limb or head. If the cow is lying down turn her on the side 

 opposite to that on which the limb is missing, so that there may be 

 more room for bringing the latter up. Even if a missing limb is reached 

 it is vain to attempt to bring it up during a labor pain. Wait until the 

 pain has ceased, and attempt to straighten on the limb before the next 

 pain comes on. If the pains are violent and continuous they may be/ 

 checked by pinching the back or by putting a tight surcingle round 

 the body in front of the udder. These failing, 1 ounce or 1 ounces of 

 chloral hydrate in a quart of water may be given to check the pains. 

 If the passages have dried up or lost their natural lubricating liquid, 

 smear the interior of the passages and womb, and the surface of the 

 calf as far as it can be reached, with pure fresh lard 5 or pure sweet oil 

 may be run into the womb through a rubber tube (fountain syringe). 

 In dragging up the fetus apply strong traction only while the mother 

 is straining, and drag downward toward the hocks as well as back- 

 ward. You thus follow the natural curvature of both fetus and pas- 

 sages, and render the extraction easier. 



LABOR PAINS BEFORE RELAXATION OF THE PASSAGES. 



Any of the various causes of abortion may bring on labor pains 

 before the time. Straining conies on days or weeks before the time, 

 and there is not the usual enlargement, swelling and mucous discharge 

 from the vulva. There is little or no falling in by the sides of the root 

 of the tail 5 the abdomen has not dropped to the usual extent, and the 

 udder is less developed and yields little or no milk. In spite of the 

 pains no water bags appear, and the oiled hand cautiously introduced 



