144 ASSISTANCE IN LAMBING. 



during the height of the lambing season. This may be rather 

 more necessary among breeds •which are accustomed to briug 

 forth twins — for one of a pair is less likely to be missed and 

 cared for by the mother, if it accidentally gets separated from 

 her. But* unless the sheep are extremely tame, moi-e harm 

 than good, even in this particular, would result from disturb- 

 ing them in the night. 



Mechanicai Assistance in Lambing. — ^The Merino ewe 

 rarely requires mechanical assistance in lambing. The high- 

 kept English ewe requires it oftener. But in neither case 

 should it be rendered, if the presentation of the lamb is 

 proper, until nature has exhausted her own energies in the 

 effort, and prostration begins to supervene. The labors are 

 often protracted, or renewed at intervals, through many hours, 

 and finally terminate successfully without the slightest interfer- 

 ence. But if the ewe ceases to rise, if her efforts to expel the 

 foetus are less vigorous, and her strength is obviously begin- 

 ning to fail, the shepherd should approach her, without 

 alarming or disturbing her, if possible, and at once render his 

 aid. The natural presentation of the lamb is with the nose 

 first and the fore-feet on each side of it. The shepherd with 

 every throe of the sheep should draw very gently on each 

 fore-leg, alternately. If this does not sufiice, he should 

 attempt to assist the passage of the head with his finger, 

 proceding slowly and with extreme caution. If the head is 

 too large to be drawn out thus gently, both the fore-legs 

 must be grasped, the fingers (after being greased or oiled) 

 introduced into the vagina, and the head and legs drawn 

 forward together with as much force as is safe. But haste or 

 violence will destroy the lamb, if not the dam also. If the 

 former cannot be drawn forth by the application of considera- 

 ble force, it is better to dissect it away. In these operations 

 the ewe must be held by an assistant. 



If the fore-legs do not protrude far enough to be grasped, 

 the head of the lamb is to be pushed back and down, which 

 will generally bring them into place — or they may be felt for 

 by the hand and brought into place. If the fore-legs protrude 

 and the head is turned back, then the foetus must be pushed 

 back into the womb, and the head brought along with the 

 legs into natural position. There are several other false 

 presentations, such as having the crown of the head, the side, 

 back or rump come first to the mouth of the womb. The 

 only directions which I can render intelligible in all such 



