Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

CHAPTEU XVI.
PREGNANCY, PARTURITION, AND THE DISEASES
CONNECTED WITH THEM.
ABORTION, OR SLINKING.
The usual period of pregnancy in a cow is nine calendar months,
and something over ; but there is often considerable variation in the
time of what seems to be a natural delivery, and when the calf is
likely to live.
M. Tessier, in a Memoir read to the Royal Academy of Science^ at
Paris, says, that in one thousand and thirty-one cows, which he had
the opportunity of observing, the shortest period of gestation was
two hundred and forty days, and the longest three hundred and
twenty-one—difference, eighty-one days ; and counting from-nine
months, fifty-one days over, and thirty days under. The average is
about two hundred and eighty-five days.
The cow, however, is, more than any other animal, subject to
abortion. This takes place at different periods of pregnancy, from
half of the usual time to the seventh, or almost to the eighth
month. The symptoms of the approach of abortion, except the
breeder is very much among his stock, are not often perceived ; or,
if perceived, they are concealed by the cow-herd, lest he should be
accused of neglect or improper treatment.
The cow is somewhat off her feed—rumination ceases—she is
listless and dull—the milk diminishes or dries up—the motions of
the foetus become more feeble, and at length cease altogether
there is a slight degree of enlargement of the belly—there is a little
staggering in her walk—when she is down she lies longer than
usual, and when she gets up she stands for a longer time motionless.
As the abortion approaches, a yellow or red glairy fluid runs
from the vagina— (this is a symptom which rarely or never deceives)—her
breathing becomes laborious and slightly convulsive.
The belly has for several days lost its natural rotundity, and has
been evidently falling—she begins to moan—the pulse becomes
small, wiry, and intermittent. At length labor comes on, and is
often attended with much difficulty and danger.
If the abortion have been caused bv blows o:. violence, whether
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