8?0 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



the mouth of the uterus, and passes, by successive stages, on through 

 the vagina. Soon the fore feet appear, then the head, and finally 

 the fetus is entirely expelled, and falls slowly to the ground, the 

 umbilical cord being often ruptured in the fall. The process of 

 delivery generally occupies upwards of an hour, though its duration 

 varies with the constitution of the cow. Many animals give birth 

 while in a recumbent position, lying down as soon as the contrac- 

 tions of the uterus assume any degree of intensity. 



The expulsion of the placenta, or " after-rbirth," whose function 

 it is to assist in the nourishment of the fetus, is in natural cases 

 brought about by a slight recurrence of the pains. As there is not 

 the same danger from blood-poisoning by its retention in the cow 

 as in the mare, no anxiety need be felt if it is not expelled for a day 

 or two. ' * 



The cow requires assistance in parturition more frequently than 

 any other v domestic animal. It is not unusual for a heifer to need 

 assistance in her first delivery, and if high-bred and delicately 

 reared, she is quite apt to require it. But no aid should be given in 

 any case un£il it is absolutely necessary. Never interfere until the 

 water-bags have burst. If after this has, occurred the pains continue 

 for some time without any presentation, an examination should be 

 made to ascertain the nature of the presentation, and to determine the 

 difficulty. Sometimes a rigid condition of the neck of the womb 

 causes delay. In such a case the neck may be smeared with extract 

 of belladonna, which will often cause it to relax within a few hours. 

 If there is no time for delay, a nurrow-bladed, blunt-pointed knife 

 should be passed up the vagina, and the neck cut to the depth of a 

 quarter of an inch, at' four points! It will soon give way, and the 

 bagging of the water will cause the necessary dilatation. 



As a matter of interest in this connection, we give, in Fig. 

 1082, an illustration of the blood-vessels of the fetus in a mare at 

 about mid-term, showing the umbilical vein and the other ducts. 



:■>/. 'UmfATC'RAL PRESENTATION. 



I All forms of presentation of the fetus different from that just 

 JJ^cribed, are termed false, or unnatural. Various causes may 

 have brought about a change of position of the fetus in pregnant 

 animals, such as running from fright, or being chased by dogs. 

 An unnatural presentation is not necessarily formidable, because a 

 skillful practitioner may be able to turn the fetus so-as to obviate 

 the difficulty thus presented. Sometimes, in addition to an un- 

 natural presentation, one or more of the limbs may be improperly 



