994 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



Post Mortem Appeakancbs. 



The blood, dark in colour and distending the veins, shows 

 the presence of fatty emboli, i.e., has drops of yellow oily 

 matter floating on it. Congestion of the brain and spinal cord with 

 apoplectic clots on various parts is noticeable. There is no other 

 evidence to guide one in determining specifically the nature of the 

 ailment. 



Prevention. 



As this at any time is better and easier than cure, it would be 

 well for owners of valuable dairy cows to bear in mind this condition 

 may be prevented. As before stated it does not attack heifers, only 

 cows that have had at least two calves, rarely occurring even at that 

 time but only at later periods. We have further seen that those 

 animals whose milk contains the greatest amount of butter fat are the 

 most prone to it, and with the propagation of animals in which this is 

 the chief aim, it follows that there will be a greater tendency for the 

 disease to become more common in future than in years gone by, 

 when this essential was not brought out in such a marked degree as 

 at present. With an animal capable of such possibilities, it is only 

 fair to presume that its owner will endeavour to take from such an 

 animal as much as he can, consequently he will endeavour to stimulate 

 these qualities by choicer foods and more care and attention in order 

 to obtain as high results as possible. But herein may be the source 

 of trouble, he may be too lavish in his cai*e by not milking her for a 

 long period after she becomes in calf. Or on the other hand she may 

 be placed in too luxuriant pasture, when the animal will have to 

 bestir itself but little to provide a feed, in consequence of which it 

 does not take sufficient exercise. From this I do not wish it to be 

 inferred that none but fat cows get milk fever, but as a general rule 

 fat ones are more subject to it than poor ones, and the following 

 simple and easily carried out suggestions will prove serviceable in 

 preventing cows from contracting milk fever. 



(1) Part with your old cows, fatten them up and let them pass 

 into the hands of the butcher. 



(2) Milk late on after they become in calf. 



(3) Turn them on to pasture where they will have to walk about 

 and take exercise by hunting for their food. 



(4) Give a dose of opening medicine before calving. 



(5) If necessary, before calving milk morning and evening. This 

 will tend to reduce the pressure of the colostrum in the udder, and 

 lessen its chances of decomposition by affording a resting ground 

 therein for micro-organisms which may be present in the teat, and 

 but await a suitable medium for development. 



(6) Do not allow cows heavy in calf to be driven too rapidly, or 

 chased by dogs, as this is a prolific cause of mischief. 



By carrying out these suggestions which are practicable, it will 

 be found the risk of milk fever will be minimized if not averted. I 



