260 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ripe, breaking from its attachment to the parent tree, and 

 falling into the lap of mother earth. If the pelvic bones 

 are well or proportionably formed in the cow, and the 

 presentation and size of the calf be right, no trouble need 

 be apprehended, and the cow may be left to herself. The 

 natural presentation at full time, and of a full grown calf, 

 is as follows : The amnion, or waterbag having been rup- 

 tured or broken, there will be seen the fore legs and head 

 of the calf resting upon the two feet, and protruding a 

 little. If, however, the cow should labor long with the 

 calf in this position, and she is weak and thin in flesh, she 

 may be assisted. This can be done by taking hold of the 

 two feet and part of the head, and when the cow makes an 

 effort to strain, pull at the calf. If sufiicient force cannot 

 be applied by the hands, then place a soft but stout rope 

 round the feet of the calf, and apply traction or force. 

 Before any force whatever is used, be sure that the mouth 

 of the womb is sufficiently dilated ; for if this be not the 

 case, then by using force the womb is torn or raptured, 

 and the death of the cow is the result. Be patient, and 

 time — the prover of all things — will also prove the wisdom 

 of waiting. If after delay, however, both cow and caJf 

 should be lost, be consoled by the fact, that it is likely the 

 one or both would have been lost any way ; for there will 

 be found some one or other of these malformations, either 

 in the pelvis or arch of the pubis of the cow, or an undue 

 proportion of the size of the calf to the pelvic arch through 

 which it is has to pass, to be delivered. In all cases where 

 the calf presents itself in the form above described, and 

 delivery is not effected, rest assured that the pelvic arch 

 of the mother is too small or too narrow. If that be not 

 the case, the calf is over size, from water in the head, 

 {Hycb'ocephalus^ or water in the belly, (Dropsy,) or both 



