16i! OBfir ETHICAL PHYSIOLOGY. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

 Hygiene of Pregnant Animals. 



The hygienic measures to be observed in the management of animals 

 during gestation are, in general, those which should prevail always, 

 irrespective of this condition. But beside these there are a few par- 

 ticular precautions to be attended to, in order that this period may be 

 safely and successfully passed through, and these precautions are all 

 the more necessary as the period of birth approaches. Unlike the 

 human female, pregnant animals do not require those careful, numerous, 

 and minute attentions so essential to her health and the welfare of her 

 offspring ; indeed, too much nursing and pampering, by removing 

 animals further from their natural condition, are unnecessary, and 

 likely to do more harm than good. 



When an animal is believed to have been fecundated, it should not 

 be allowed near the male again ; as in the artificial state in which 

 domesticated creatures are usually kept, attempts at coitus may do 

 harm ; though it must be confessed that among Cows the Bull often 

 remains in the same pasture with them, and they calve as regularly and 

 as safely as if they were not so exposed. 



With those animals which are employed in labour — as the Mare, and 

 sometimes the Cow — it is well not to work them severely nor fatigue 

 them much, and particularly as pregnancy is advanced ; and, on the 

 other hand, absolute repose is pernicious. Exercise is most beneficial, 

 and the most difficult cases of parturition occur among animals to which 

 this is denied. The pregnant Mare will accomplish ordinary and accus- 

 tomed work, particularly if it be slow, without any harm, perhaps with 

 benefit, until the seventh, eighth, or ninth month, when more care 

 must be observed ; but moderate exercise should always be allowed up 

 to the period of parturition. Harness is preferable to saddle work for 

 pregnant Mares ; and fast trotting, galloping, jumping, travelling over 

 broken ground, or severe and sudden exertion, injuries, or shocks of 

 any kind, are to be avoided — in fact, extremes should be guarded 

 against. 



If the animal must be employed for riding, the use of spurs should 

 be interdicted, because of the sudden contraction of the abdominal 

 muscles which their application induces, and which may lead to 

 abortion. 



Should the animal not be usefully employed in this way, then it ought 

 to be regularly exercised in hand, or placed in a paddock provided with 

 shelter from inclement weather. 



The Cow, if employed in labour, may be worked moderately until the 

 sixth or seventh month. If kept for milk production, the milking 

 should also cease about this period ; though with well-fed Cows it is 

 often prolonged until near parturition. Nevertheless, there can be no 

 doubt that this practice is prejudicial to the foetus, by arresting or 

 retarding its development, through diverting into the mammary glands 

 the materials which should be disposed of in the uterus. 



Exercise at pasture is beneficial to all animals ; even the Pig and 

 Bitch are greatly benefited by movement. 



The food of pregnant animals is an important consideration. 

 Creatures in this condition should be well fed, and especially if they 

 have to accomplish a certain amount of labour or yield milk. The 



