188 Dairy Management. 



means used hj that gentleman, which, with probably some mo- 

 difications of my own, I have since continued to apply. No 

 ■difference is observed in the cov/'s treatment or food till the 

 symptoms of calving appear. Her supply of water is then limited 

 to about one-half of what she would drink. When she has calved, 

 and for two days afterwards, she is plcntifidly supplied with a 

 quantity of oatmeal gruel twice per day, with about 2 lbs. of 

 treacle each time in the gruel. No water is given separately ; 

 she is allowed her ordinary food. After calving she is milked 

 every 3 to 4 hours for two days or upwards. The attendant is 

 enjoined not to strip her milk clean, but leave a little in her 

 udder, in the manner he would use in drying a cow of her milk. 

 When two to three days are over, she is supplied with water and 

 food ad libitum, and the ordinary process of milking clean twice 

 per day resorted to. 



The only instance of milk-fever since T adopted these precau- 

 tionary means occurred in 1855, under the following circum- 

 stances. I bought a cow in July to calve in September ; her 

 appearance denoted good milking properties. She dropped her 

 calf whilst out on pasture, and without giving the previous 

 notice by filling tlie udder, or showing symptoms of giving much 

 milk. I then told her attendant he need not use the precaution, 

 but supply her with food and drink to promote her secretion of 

 milk. Within two days of her having calved, the feeder came to 

 me with the intelligence that she had dropped. On arriving at 

 her stall, I found her case a decided and severe one. Having 

 collected a sufiicient number of assistants, together with our vil- 

 lage druggist, Mr. Holdcn, who on occasions of emergency was 

 called in to assist and on this occasion was the chief adviser, 

 we resorted to the appliance of bags filled with the hot steamed 

 food, of which there was a plentiful supply in readiness. These 

 were placed along her spine and sides, and on cooling replaced 

 with others ; this operation was continued from noon till evening. 

 During the same time men were continually engaged (relieving 

 each other) in squeezing from her teats what little milk they 

 could. The bags of hot steamed food had the effect of inducing 

 a profuse perspiration. A dose or two of sulphate of magnesia 

 were given, then linseed oil, but without effect ; after this treacle 

 with brandy in half-pint doses, to the extent of 10 to 12 lbs. She 

 was several times pierced with the trocar to relieve her from gas 

 by which she was distended. Aperient medicine was also given. 

 The symptoms of the malady began to abate in the evening. Early 

 next morning she was still lying, her pulse quite feeble, and 

 other appearances of languor. On being supplied with a wine- 

 glass full of brandy in some warm gruel, she raised herself on 

 her feet, and recovered. 



