98 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



made to move, will show weakness in the hind quarters; if forced to 

 walk will stagger and fall, and generally makes considerable effort to 

 rise but is usually unable to regain the standing position. The eyes 

 present a very glassy appearance, and soon become insensible to light, 

 and even the touch of the finger does not make them show any sign of 

 sensation. In the majority of cases, the power of swallowing is lost, and 

 care should be taken not to give the animal large quantities of liquid 

 by the mouth, at this stage of the disease, as it is sure to produce 

 suffocation, or end in bronchitis, or congestion of the lungs. 



Another characteristic symptom of this disease is the position of the 

 head, which is generally pressed to the side, or shoulder, and if drawn 

 forward, it will, as soon as released, fall back to this position. 



The only successful treatment that I know of, is the application of 

 antiseptic or germicidal medicines to the inside of the udder. The 

 iodide of potassium is the one most commonly used, and, as soon as the 

 animal recovers the power of swallowing, stimulants and tonics should 

 be given. In dealing with these cases, much depends on careful nursing, 

 such as keeping the animal from lying flat on the side, as bloating may 

 take place, and cause death in a very short time. 



As a preventive measure, I would advise letting the pregnant animal 

 have plenty of exercise in the open air, with moderate feeding, during 

 the period that the cow is not giving milk. Keep her from getting in 

 a soft and flabby condition; if she is running out on luxuriant pasture, 

 it is a good plan to take her up in the stable for a week or ten days 

 before calving. Give her a good laxative, and then keep her on dry food 

 that does not favor secretion of milk. 



At one time I believed that a large dose of purgative medicine given 

 just prior to the period of calving, was a certain preventive and in- 

 structed my patrons accordingly; but experience has shown that this 

 cannot be relied on, as it does not prove effective in all cases. 



cow POX. 



1 



Another disease affecting the dairy cow during the period of lactation 

 is Variola Vaccine or Cow Pox. While this disease is not dangerous, 

 it is the cause of considerable annoyance to the dairymen. The disease 

 is shown, in the first place, by red spots appearing on the udder near 

 its junction with the teats ; they appear painful to the touch, and the 

 animal may show some signs of fever. Usually a pimple forms on the 

 center of this inflamed surface, which breaks in a few days and a scab 

 forms which may increase to several times the size of the pimple. We 

 want to bear in mind that this disease is infectious, and is generally con- 

 veyed from one cow to another, by the hands of the milker ; consequently, 

 we should be careful when we find a cow affected in this way to be sure 

 and milk her last. Just pass her down to the foot of the class, so a» * 

 to keep the disease from spreading as much as possible. All the treat- 

 ment necessary is to use some antiseptic wash, and apply a little carbol- 

 ized salve to the affected parts. 



