Breeding and Some of Its Effects. 165 



dries up and shrivels and drops off. In lambs, calves and 

 pigs slight scraping of the finger nail on the cord will 

 sever the string and prevent bleeding. If life seems 

 about gone, whip with a wet towel, work the fore limbs, 

 breathe into the nostrils at intervals coinciding with the 

 limb movements, rub the body dry, and bring to a warm 

 place, a slight stimulant such as brandy and water or a 

 little sweet nitre and warm milk may also be given with 

 benefit. Get the newborn to suckle as soon as possible 

 so that it may get the action of the first milk (colostrum) 

 and thus remove the meconium — the accumulated excre- 

 ment of fetal life. The meconium may have to be 

 removed; use the oiled finger, or injections of warm water 

 and oil; avoid giving purgatives; foals are often started 

 scouring, and are lost as a result of giving such medicine. 

 A heaped teaspoonful of fresh (unsalted) butter may be 

 given to the foal with good results if a little constipated; 

 it a ewe refuses her lamb the one refused (in case of 

 twins) should be rubbed over with the one taken, or if 

 one is dead, skin it and put the skin on over the one re- 

 fused, or put the ewe and refused lamb together by them- 

 selves for a time. In case of ewes the wool should be 

 trimmed from around the udder to allow the lambs to 

 get at the teat, this will also prevent the lamb sucking 

 the wool with the result sometimes of wool-balls in the 

 stomachs. After getting the young animal to suckle 

 once, leave the dam and offspring to themselves; if the 

 afterbirth has come away, remove and bury; the dis- 

 gusting practice of letting animals eat the membranes 

 should not be permitted. The usual practice with dairy- 

 men and stockmen with dual-purpose cows, is to remove 



