250 



MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



and discharges a stringy mucus ; the belly droops and the 

 muscles on each side of the root of the tail "fall in," leaving 



deep hollows. Later the cow 

 becomes uneasy, ceases eating, 

 lies down and rises again, 

 switches her tail, and may bel- 

 low or moan. Soon the labor 

 pains come on, the animal 

 arches her back, lowers her 

 croup, draws the belly up, and 

 straining is more or less violent 

 Fig. 79. — Jersey Cow "Jacoba and continuous. Soon the clear 

 ]^^-:n^S'^^-^^Xt^. water-bags protrude between 



The world's record for the breed, the lipS of the VUlva, though 

 OwnedbyA.O.Auten,Jerseyville, ^Jq^^j ^^^ precede them. The 



water-bags come rapidly, hang- 

 ing downward toward the hocks, pull at the fetus, and aid in 

 dilating the womb. In this manner these bags aid materially 

 and should not be ruptured until they do so naturally. The 

 after-pains come on later and expel the afterbirth which 

 should not be left longer than twenty-four hours. 



For difficult parturition and removal of afterbirth, see page 

 334. Directly after calving, give a warm gruel of oatmeal, 

 wheat bran, or shorts. Increase the grain ration gradually 

 until on full feed. 



THE CALF 



The young calf that makes its appearance normally and is 

 bright and active needs only to be let alone as long as both cow 

 and calf are doing well. Not all calves, however, are so fortu- 

 nate. Occasionally one loses its life through want of atten- 

 tion at time of birth. It sometimes happens that the new-born 

 calf cannot breathe — ■ does not establish the function of respi- 

 ration. Steps must be taken quickly to establish respiration. 



