PARTURITION, OR CALVING. 
541 
feel immediate relief, and the natural pains will be resumed, 
and with a little assistance the calf may easily be extracted, 
and in many instances by the efforts of the cow alone. 
When this horny obstruction exists, it will be observed, 
that those necessary alterations preparatory to calving do 
not take place, and when this is noticed, particular atten¬ 
tion must be paid in examining into the cause, why due pre¬ 
paration has not been made by nature for the change about 
to take place. 
When the animal has got quit of its calf, means must be 
adopted to heal the wounded parts within. The best lini¬ 
ment for that purpose is the following; namely, camphorated 
spirits of wine, introduced by a long pointed syringe, which 
will reach the neck of the womb. This should be applied 
twice or thrice a day, while the animal is kept warm, and 
supplied with good fresh food and dry litter. 
So soon as the calf has been extracted, whether in natu¬ 
ral or preternatural labour, the placenta, or after-burden, 
should be brought away as speedily as possible. Much 
force should not, however, be used, as this might cause hemor¬ 
rhage, and endanger the life of the animal. If allowed to 
remain long after the birth of the calf, it is apt to become 
putrid, and mortification in the womb will follow. Some 
cows, after they have dropped their calf, and the after-birth 
has come away, have a propensity to eat the latter, which 
should never be permitted, if possible. 
When the calf has been properly cleaned, by the mother 
licking it, or by the use of warm water and a sponge, the 
navel-string must be secured by a ligature of waxed thread, 
or fine tape wound several times round it, at the distance 
of two or three inches from the belly. Then divide the 
umbilical cord, or navel-string, a little way beyond the part 
which is tied. 
