CALVING. 261 



of these conditions combined, which is seen by veterinary 

 surgeons, in large country practice. 



Before a calf of this description can be delivered, and 

 the cow relieved, the head of the calf must be pierced, to 

 lessen its size, then a long spear-like instrument — ^trocar — 

 is used to pierce the belly or abdomen of the calf, to empty 

 the fluid, to lessen also its great size. When that is 

 properly done, and the cow is not too greatly exhausted, 

 she may complete the delivery without further assistance. 



Twin Calves. — Twin presentations are as various 

 as they are curious. Thus, we sometimes see a fore leg 

 of one calf, and the hind leg of the other. In this condi- 

 tion of things, it must be evident that no force should 

 be used to bring them away till each calf is properly 

 adjusted in its position. The best and quickest way is to 

 adjust the calf which first presents itself, and if portions 

 of the other be presented also, push them back into the 

 womb. When one calf is safely delivered, not much diffi- 

 culty will be experienced with the other. 



Unnatural Presentation. — We have now arrived 

 at that portion of our subject which, more plainly talking, 

 has reference to when the calf is being forced into the neck 

 of the uterus or womb in any form except the natural 

 position already described. The unnatural position of 

 calves, about to be delivered, is happily rare, and forms 

 the exception to the natural law of presentation. However 

 rare these presentations are, they nevertheless are some- 

 times seen. Thus the feet are presented, and the head of 

 the calf doubled on its neck, and in the womb. This 

 condition is best remedied by tying a rope round the fore 

 feet, or both together, and raising the hind parts of the 

 cow off the ground ; thus forcing the calf down to the 

 fondus or bottom of the womb. This being done, reach 



