IIVUlKXt: (>F I'ltECXAXT AXIMALS. 167 



appetite is generally increased, and there is, as has heen already observe<l, 

 a tendency to fatten. This tendency should he somewhat guarded 

 against, as it may prove troublesome, particularly if it is allowed to pro- 

 ceed to an extreme degree ; when it may retard the development of thn 

 faHus, induce abortion, cause ditlicult parturition, or give rise to serious 

 after-consequences. This precaution is more to be observed in the 

 second than the first half of pregnancy, when the food should bu 

 plentiful, but not in excess, and llesh more abundant in the animal than 

 fat. The food should also be of good quality, very nutritious, easy of 

 digestion, and not likely to induce constipation. 



Indigestion should be carefully guarded against, and unaccustomed, 

 hard, damp, bulky, fermentable, mouldy, or otherwise hurtfully altered 

 food, should be avoided, as it is likely to prove indigestible, occasion 

 tympanitis, and produce other injurious results. 



Grazing on pastures is favourable to the pregnant condition of her- 

 bivorous animals, and especially if the land is not too broken, or sloping, 

 and the herbage is good ; as they take their own exercise, and breathe 

 a purer atmosphere than tliat of stables or sheds. But it must be re- 

 membered that they should, if possible, be protected from damp, fogs, 

 cold rain, stormy weather, etc. If the herbage is not sutViciently abun- 

 dant and nutritive, it should be supplemented by an additional allow- 

 ance of food. 



In connection with food, it may be well to observe that, besides the 

 ordinary saline matters which it is beneficial to add to the ration, espe- 

 cially when it is prepared for the animals, in those regions where 

 inflammation of the joints of young creatures, and other morbid con- 

 ditions due to the deficiency of certain mineral constituents in the 

 economy are noted, it may be necessary to add these constituents to the 

 food of tlie pregnant animal. 



The ])hosphates so necessary for the formation of certain tissues of 

 the body, for instance, may be deficient in the herbage ; and this may 

 be compensated for by giving, in addition to bran, meal, oil-cake, etc., 

 and even properly-prepared bone-dust. 



The inttcr should be pure, and jjlentiful at all times ; as then the 

 animals will drink only moderate quantities, and when necessary. 



.A. point to be particularly attended to, is not allowing pregnant 

 animals to drink very cold water, nor eat food at a low temperature. 

 We have seen that the fu-tus is extremely susceptible to the action of 

 cold, and abortion is by no means unusual tlirougli the operation of this 

 susceptibility. 



Very cold water, fro/en food — such as i*oots, or herbage covered with 

 white or hoar frost — should therefore be withheld fron^. pregnant 

 animals, as they are likely to induce abortion, metritis, and other 

 serious accidents, either through their direct action upon the ftrtus, or 

 indirectly through the derangement they may set up in the digestive 

 apparatus. 



^\ ith regard to dwcUiwjti, the hygienic rules which should always be 

 observed in buildings in which animals are kept, ought to be rigorously 

 enforced with regard to those in which pregnant creatures are lodged. 

 Cleanliness is, above all things, necessary to be observed. Near foaling 

 time — three weeks or a month — the Mare should be kept apart in a 

 roomy loose-box, and when convenient, within sight of the other Horses 

 with which it has been accustomed to associate. The Cow is usually 

 allowed to remain in its ordinarv stall in the cow-shed ; but overcrowd- 



