540 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
the calf may be ascertained after the waters have been 
seen. A cord should always be at hand to attach to the 
fore-legs of the calf, in order that each natural exertion, or 
throe, may be assisted. Always keep the head free from 
obstruction. 
It sometimes happens that the passage to the uterus is so 
contracted and sinewy as to obstruct the passage of even 
the smallest hand ; and, indeed, even the finger, in some 
cases. This is called horning of the lye, or calf-bed. This 
occurs even at the last stage of gestation; and many cows 
cannot give birth to their calves in consequence, and not a 
few have fallen victims to it. When the period of parturi¬ 
tion has arrived, and the animal manifests difficulty in part¬ 
ing with her calf, a small hand, which has been anointed 
with hogs’ lard, should be introduced into the vagina, so 
that it may easily be effected, and it may then be as¬ 
certained whether this horning of the lye has taken place; 
and if it should be found to be the case, recourse must be 
had to the following operation, which, however, we would 
recommend to be performed by a veterinary surgeon, if one 
can be had easily ; but if not, there will be no alternative 
but to proceed with the operation :—Procure a small, very 
sharp knife, with a blade of about an inch and a half in 
length, and with a hollow on the back part, near the point, 
on which the extremity of the fore-finger must rest, to guide 
the knife in cutting, and let the point and edge of the knife 
be covered as much as possible, to prevent it cutting the 
vagina. It must have a short handle, so that the fore-fin¬ 
ger of the operator may always be kept forward, as far as the 
extremity of the blade, to prevent any danger from its edge 
cutting the sides of the vagina. With the point of the knife 
cut the lower side of the passage to the womb, and when 
the horny obstruction is completely divided, the animal will 
