98 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



the hind legs up in the air, the head down, thus throwing the 

 bowels downwards and consequently giving more room to work, or the 

 ewe may be turned on her back, but kept in this position only for a 

 short time. In animals running overtime Nature is generally allowed 

 to take its course ; it might be advisable in mares that have gone over- 

 time, and who have had milk in their udders for a few days, to attempt 

 delivery. 



ATTENTION TO THE NEWBORN 



'i'he treatment of the young animals is not very formidabk-, as 

 stated; remove the membranes, clean out the mouth and nostrils; 

 examine also to see if the newborn has the natural apertures for the 

 passage of urine or feces. In some cases attention to the navel 

 string should be cut about one and one-half inches from the body 

 and securely tied and thoroughly dressed with Dermasote or Elk's 

 Absorbing Ointment daily, until it dries up, shrivels and drops off. 

 In lambs, calves and pigs slight scraping of the finger nail on the 

 cord will sever the string and prevent bleeding. If life seems about 

 gone, whip with a wet towel, work the fore limbs, breathe into the 

 nostrils at intervals coinciding with the limb movements, pull the 

 tongue gently forward, then let it retract and again pull forward, 

 repeating the movements at intervals for ten or fifteen minutes or 

 longer, rub the body dry, and bring to a warm place, a slight stimu- 

 lant such as brandy and water or a little sweet nitre and warm milk 

 may also be given with benefit. Get the newborn to suckle as soon 

 as possible so that it may get the action of the first milk (colostrum ) 

 and thus remove the meconium (the accumulated excrement of fet;il 

 life). The meconium may have to be removed; use the oiled finger, 

 or injections of warm water and oil; avoid giving purgatives; foals 

 are often started scouring, and are lost as a result of giving some 

 medicine. A heaped teaspoonful of fresh (unsalted) butter may be 

 given to the foal with good results if a little constipated ; if a ewe 

 refuses her lamb, the one refused (in case of twins) should be 

 rubbed over with the one taken, or if one is dead, skin it and put 

 the skin on over the one refused, or put the ewe and refused lamb 

 together by themselves for a time. In case of ewes the wool should 

 be trimmed around the udder to allow the lambs to get at the teat, 

 this will also prevent the lamb sucking the wool, with the result 

 sometimes of wool-balls in the stomachs. After getting the young- 

 animal to suckle once, leave the dam and oft"spring to themselves; 

 if the afterbirth has come away, remove and bury; the disgusting- 

 practice of letting animals eat the membranes should not be per- 

 mitted. 



