172 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



interfere when delay suggests some mechanical obstruction. If there 

 is no mechanical obstruction, let the calf be expelled slowly by the 

 unaided efforts of the cow. Bruises and lacerations of the passages 

 and flooding from the uncontracted womb may come from the too 

 speedy extraction of the calf. When assistance is necessary, the oper- 

 ator should dress in a thick flannel shirt from which the sleeves have 

 been cut off clear up to the shoulders. This avoids danger of expos- 

 ure, and yet leaves the whole arm free and untrammeled. Before 

 inserting the hand, it and the arm should be smeared with oil, lard, 

 or vaseline, care being taken that the oil or lard is fresh, neither 

 salted nor rancid, and that it has been purified by boiling or rendered 

 antiseptic by the addition of a teaspoonful of carbolic acid to the 

 pound. 



This is a valuable precaution against infecting the cow by intro- 

 ducing putrid ferments into the passages, and against poisoning of 

 the arm by decomposing discharges in case the calving is unduly pro- 

 tracted. When labor pains have lasted some time without any signs 

 of the water bags, the dropping in at the sides of the rump, and the 

 other preparations for calving being accomplished, the hand should 

 be introduced to examine. When the water bags have burst and 

 neither feet nor head appear for some time, examination should be 

 made. When one fore foot only and the head appears, or both fore 

 feet without the head, or the head without the fore feet, examine. If 

 one hind foot appears without the other, make examination. The 

 presenting limb or head should be secured by a rope with a running 

 noose, so that it may not pass back into the womb and*get lost during 

 the subsequent manipulations, but may be retained in the vagina or 

 brought up again easily. In searching for a missing member, it is 

 usually better to turn the head of the cow down hill, so that the gravi- 

 tation of the fetus and abdominal organs forward into the belly of 

 the cow may give more room in which to bring up the missing limb 

 or head. If the cow is lying down turn her on the side opposite to 

 that on which the limb is missing, so that there may be more room 

 for bringing the latter up. Even if a missing limb is reached it is 

 vain to attempt to bring it up during a labor pain. Wait until the 

 pain has ceased, and attempt to straighten out the limb before the 

 next pain comes on. If the pains are violent and continuous, they 

 may be checked by pinching the back or by putting a tight surcingle 

 round the body in front of the udder. These failing, 1 ounce or 1£ 

 ounces of chloral hydrate in a quart of water may be given to check 

 the pains. If the passages have dried up or lost their natural lubri- 

 cating liquid, smear the interior of the passages and womb, and the 

 surface of the calf so far as it can be reached, with pure fresh lard; 

 or pure sweet oil may be run into the womb through a rubber tube 

 (fountain syringe). In dragging upon the fetus apply strong traction 

 only while the mother is straining, and drag downward toward the 



