RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 95 



calf and lamb do not always follow right after delivery; in the cow 

 they remain for days ; in the ewe rarely so ; while in the sow it is the 

 exception for such to occur; the reason for retention of the membranes 

 in ruminants (cow and ewe) is due to the peculiarity of the attachment 

 of the membranes in those animals, which will be remembered from 

 the description of arrangement of the mucous (lining) membrane of 

 the uterus in those animals. 



DIFFICULT DELIVERIES 



If the presentation has been right, the usual labor is of short dura- 

 tion, if however, the pains have begun and presisted for a long time 

 without delivery, some hindrance to the normal delivery may be sus- 

 pected, the cause of such unnatural happenings are numerous; may be 

 due to wrong presentation, such as two hind legs coming together ; the 

 foetus coming upside down (see Fig. No. 50, Sterna Abnormal Posi- 

 tion) or with the head turned back, excess in volume of the fetus, 

 contraction of the genital passages, enlargement of the head, due to 

 tumors, etc. In such cases the employment of a veterinarian is ad- 

 visable and profitable, because he is acquainted with the parts, has the 

 proper instruments and drugs. The time of calling the professional 

 man should not be left until the dam is exhausted or injvu'ed internally 

 from the movement of the fetus ; the longer such cases are left the 

 greater the danger of inflammation of the womb or tearing or wound- 

 ing internally of the dam. If the stockman is sufficiently expert let him 

 bare his arm to the shoulder, anoint with carbolized oil, one part of car- 

 bolic acid to ten linseed oil, or hog's lard, introduce the arm into the 

 passage and endeavor to find the cause of the trouble. If a head and 

 one foreleg are shown fasten ropes (one- fourth inch) on the parts, 

 push them forward into cavity and then try and get the missing limb, 

 raise it and bring all into the natural position, the head between the 

 two forefeet (See Fig. 49) ; if the head is down and the forefeet 

 presented, rope each foot, push them forward and try to raise the head 

 and bring it towards you along with the feet (See Figs. 52, 53, 54, 55, 

 56 and 57). The stockman will, .on examination, better understand 

 the conditions than from any written directions, and will be successful 

 according as he adapts himself to meet these conditions. Mares and 

 cows are more easily delivered when in the standing position; if they 

 lie down and the work becomes harder to perform. In case of 

 twins care must be taken not to rope one leg of each twin, but 

 to make sure that you keep each individual separate and take one 

 at a time. (See Fig. 51, Twin Pregnancy). In cases of difficult 

 delivery in ewes an assistant may be got to hold the cwc with 



