VETERINARY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE. 409 



Jersey Cattle Society have tried experiments in the treatment of cows before calving 

 in order to prevent the development of milk fever. This preventive treatment, 

 which has proved to be quite satisfactory, consists in giving special attention to the 

 comfort, temperature conditions, etc., of cows for a period of 4 to 6 weeks before 

 calving. During the latter i:)art of Ihis period it is considered desirable to take the 

 temperature of cows daily, or oftener if any abnormal conditions appear. 



It is recommended that some laxative feed be given, but that otherwise the feed 

 should be somewhat reduced in order to prevent excessive development of internal 

 fat. It is also recommended that cows be dried off at least 4 weeks before calving. 

 In treating cases of milk fever success is reported from the application of drastic 

 poultices to the spinal cord, ice about the head, and giving laxative drinks. Schmidt's 

 treatment also proved successful. 



Reports are given from various member-s of the society concerning the prevalence 

 and treatment of abortion. Several members report success from the application of 

 external antiseptic washes. Prevention is considered better than treatment, how- 

 ever, since treatment is not always uniform in results. The best method of preven- 

 tion, in the experience of the members of the society, consists in giving attention to 

 the hygienic conditions of the animal and the application of strict disinfectant meas- 

 ures in case of an outbreak of the disease. 



The form of diarrhea which was investigated was found to be due to the presence 

 of stomach worms. A number of experiments were made in testing the action of 

 ammonia upon these worms. This substance was found to exercise a very rapid 

 effect upon the worms. The parasites were killed within 3 minutes when placed in 

 a solution containing 1 part ammonia to 2,400 parts of water, and in 90 minutes in a 

 solution containing 1 part of ammonia to 30,000 parts of water. 



Milk fever, J. W. Coxnaway {Missouri State Bd. Agr. Rpt., 1902, pp. 3S2-334). — 

 A short account of the prevention and treatment of this disease. It is recommended 

 that cows be put on short rations for a week or so before calving. In treating the 

 disease the Schmidt method is recommended, combined with the use of Epsom salts 

 as a laxative. 



Parturient paresis, A. \V. Baker {Amer. Vet. Rev., 27 {1903), No. 3, p. 235). — • 

 Tlie author frequently has occasion to treat cases of this disease and has had best 

 success from the administration of magnesium sulphate together with infusion of 

 potassium iodid and creolin every 8 hours. If necessary this treatment may be fol- 

 lowed by ;-timulants, such as nux vomica, belladonna, or aromatic spirits of ammonia. 



Parturient paresis, D. R. Kohler {Amer. Vet. Rev., 26 {1903), No. 11, pp. 105.3- 

 1055). — Notes on the cause, symptoms, course, and treatment of this disease. In the 

 author's experience the best results were obtained in the administration of strychnin, 

 Barbados aloes, nitrous ether, and aromatic spirits of ammonia followed by infusions 

 of potassium iodid. 



Preliminary report on a new method of preventing milk fever, A. S. Wheeler 

 {Amer. Vet. Rev., 27 {1903), No. 1, pp. 57, 58). — An experiment was made on 30 cows 

 in testing the method used by certain dairymen in England in the treatment of milk 

 ftiver. The method consists in partially milking the cows every 6 hours after calving 

 for the first 3 or 4 days. The purpose of this treatment is to partly relieve the 

 pressure in the tidder, Init not to reduce it too quickly. None of the 30 cows developed 

 milk fever, and this result is considered as highly satisfactory, since heretofore it has 

 been impossible to avoid the occurrence of the disease. Further experiments will 

 be made with this method. 



The treatment of parturient paresis, J. B. Caughev {Amer. Vet. Rev., 26 

 {1903), No. 10, pp. 958, 959). — Excellent results are reported from the use of potas- 

 siinn iodid "in treating this disease. The author states, however, that where any 

 drench is used unsatisfactory results are obtained in a large percentage of cases. The 

 aujthor is inclined to believe from his experience that considerable danger attaches 

 to the use of magnesium sulphate as a drench in cases of parturient paresis. 



