418 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



COW indicates that parturition maj be expected at any moment. 

 As before directed, aha should be within immediate reach by 

 night, or day, and if a valuable animal,' a night's watching of 

 her keeper may be well repaid in the result. The natural labor 

 of the cow, and the assistance which she may require, if any, 

 will be noticed in subsequent pages, under their appropriate 

 heads. 



When the calf is deUvered, let the dam lick it as thoroughly 

 as she chooses, as is natural to her. It dries the calf of its 

 slimy coating, and it is soon able to rise and find the teat, which 

 is its first impulse. If the placenta, or after-birth be immedi- 

 ately voided, it should be removed at once, and buried, either in 

 the manure heap, or under ground. 



When the cow, or heifer, as may be, has safely calved, and 

 is not quite gentle, she should be confined in her stall, the calf 

 suckled, (and assisted to do so if necessary,) and the udder 

 thoroughly drawn to emptiness. She should be given a pail 

 full (or even more, if she be a large animal,) of blood-warm 

 mash, composed of bran, or grain meal diluted in water to a 

 drinking consistency — for she has gone through an exhaust- 

 ing process — which will tend much to revive and strengthen 

 her. This may be once or twice repeated, for a day or two, if 

 she lags in her immediate recovery. If she does well, her usual 

 feed may then be given, and she can take her place with other 

 cows, in the regular dairy, or for such purpose as is required. 

 Of the future care of the calf, we have already spoken. 



If, after some hours, a part of the placenta be still retained in 

 the womb, or vulva, a laxative drink of boiled flax-seed, or meal 

 gruel, or a dose of salts, may be given her, which is usually 

 effective; but no forced, or violent effort, should be made to 

 expel it, as it is sometimes held by an internal attachment that 

 may not be forcibly sundered without injury to the maternal 

 organs. A shght weight of one or two pounds — a little sand 



