COURSE OP NOKMAL BIRTH 75 



Traction on the calf and labor pains must, occur synchro- 

 nously. It is senseless and dangerous to pull during the 

 intermission. The obstetrician recognizes a pain by the bulg- 

 ing of the left flank, provided the animal lies on its right side ; 

 traction at that time is doubly effective. 



Normal parturition with a posterior presentation, where 

 the hind-legs enter the pelvic canal first, requires a little 

 different treatment. 



The amniotic bladder is pushed into the vagina by the 

 hind-legs ; here the claws of the posterior limbs can be seen 

 already before the cervix is fully dilated. On complete rota- 

 tion, the back of the calf lies against the spinal column of the 

 mother, the fetlocks point toward the sacrum and the plantar 

 surface of the hind claws upwards. The uterine contractions 

 occasionally advance the hind-legs as far as the fetlocks. In 

 this case the amniotic bladder must be ruptured and parturition 

 assisted by gentle traction. 



In this presentation there is constant danger of rupturing 

 the umbilical cord in consequence of this intrauterine respira- 

 tion of the calf, aspiration of amniotic liquid and suffocation. 

 Under these circumstances it is desirable to hasten parturition 

 to save the calf. 



The above shows that aid in normal parturition principally 

 consists in preventing complications. We know from experi- 

 ence, that when the water-bag is ruptured too early the soft 

 genital passage is insufficiently dilated, and, in consequence of 

 traction on the calf, injuries of the cervix and vaginal walls may 

 arise. In primiparse, where parturition is often very slow, we 

 must always try to prevent ruptures of the above-named parts, 

 and especially the perinseum. In such a case the use of lubri- 

 cants, as, for instance, oil, is indicated. This procedure is a 

 favorite one with many breeders. 



The question is often raised whether it is necessary to 

 explore in normal parturition. 



If the course is perfectly normal, it is advisable to 

 abstain from exploring the parts ; but, just as soon as an 

 abnormality manifests itself, the genital passage must be 



