306 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Calving, — This is an operation of nature, which most 

 dairymen and farmers are familiar with, and upon which 

 we will say but little. Before we do so, however, a short 

 descriptiqn of the symptoms, by which it is known 

 when a cow is in calf, will be given. 



Symptoms. — The first and most important symptoms 

 of a cow being with calf, is the absence of oestromania 

 or bulling. This, however, is not altogether relied upon 

 in some cows, for there are cases in which a pregnant 

 cow will receive the bull up to the time of calving. The 

 next, and probably the more sure sign of a cow being 

 with calf, is the increased size of the belly. The hand 

 placed firmly against the flank or portion, where there 

 are no ribs ; a hard, firm body will be felt, which is the 

 calf. As time passes along, the movements of the calf 

 in the womb can occasionally be seen. Within a few 

 weeks of calving, the external organs of generation — 

 labia pudendi — increase in size, and discharge a thick 

 mucus. The udder becomes swollen, hot, and full of the 

 first milk — colostrum^ which is sure indication that the 

 time for calving is near at hand. This is accompanied 

 by a relaxation of the ligaments of the pelvis, or as the 

 dairymen say, she is down in her bones. 



Symptoms of Immediate Delivery. — Great restlessness 

 and uneasiness, lying down and rising up, increasing in 

 severity, until she has been delivered of a calf. From 

 the time of conception, till natural parturition or calving 

 is about forty weeks, or two hundred and eighty days. 



There are, however, opinions at variance with these 

 dates, founded upon the sex of the calf. If a male, it is 

 carried longer than if of the opposite sex. These opin- 

 ions form ground for debate, therefore we will drop 

 theorizing. 



