CATTLE. 159 



Puerperal Fever. This is usually caused by difficult parturition, exposure to cold 

 soon after calving, retention of the placenta, harsh treatment, or overdriving shortly before 

 calving, etc. Cows kept in high condition, and those that have been kept thin in flesh and 

 suddenly transferred from this to an abundance of stimulating or succulent food near the 

 time of dropping the calf are most liable to this disease. It is more liable to occur in hot 

 weather, and is then most dangerous, it more frequently proving fatal at that season. It 

 may come on at any time from a few hours after calving to the fourth or fifth day. Heavy 

 milkers are most subject to it, but all cows generally have more or less fever at calving. If 

 by neglect or improper treatment of any kind the secretion of milk is prevented, and the 

 milk thus thrown back into the system, the inflammation, and hence the fever, is greatly 

 increased. 



A high fever with all its attendant symptoms is apparent in the early stages of this 

 disease, the muzzle hot and dry, base of horns and extremities hot or cold, loss of appetite, 

 ceasing to ruminate, countenance wild, eyes staring, restlessness, frequently lying down and 

 getting up, colicky pains, urine scanty and high-colored, with a constipated condition of the 

 bowels. Sometimes the mouth will be kept open, with the tongue hanging out at one side, 

 the animal moans, and soon becomes irritable. When delirium follows, she grates her teeth, 

 kicks at the belly, tosses her head about, and sometimes injures herself. The udder will be 

 hot, swollen, and very tender from the first, attended by a suspension of milk. &quot;When the 

 disease terminates fatally, the pains in the belly increase, prostration succeeds, and finally 

 stupor and death follow. 



A post mortem examination shows the womb and peritoneum greatly inflamed with 

 occasionally purple spots. The brain also shows inflammation. A pound to a pound and a 

 half of Epsom salts, according to the size and condition of the animal, should be given, dis 

 solved in a quart of hot water; to which add one ounce of powdered ginger, one ounce 

 powdered gentian root, a half pint of molasses; mix and give lukewarm. Give also injections 

 of warm water. If this does not act on the bowels in a suitable time, repeat the dose. 



In most types of milk fever the digestive organs are deranged, and the third stomach is 

 loaded with indigestible food. It is therefore highly important that this condition should be 

 counteracted as soon as possible, and purging when commenced at an early stage of the dis 

 ease, will cause the fever to subside more readily. Rub mustard paste upon the belly to 

 create a counter irritation, thus relieving the intense inflammation. If the animal from stupor 

 should be unable to swallow, the stomach pump may be used in giving the purgative, to pre 

 vent the liquid from running down into the lungs. 



If the udder is much swollen and hot, it will be well to treat it with the water bag, which 

 is also very useful in treating garget. The bag should be made of oil-cloth or rubber, large 

 enough and of suitable shape to enclose the udder, coming up to the body, flaring at the top 

 and held up by a strap over the back. This should be filled with soft, warm water, 65 being 

 a good temperature, to be changed occasionally when it becomes very warm. This will allay 

 irritation, and reduce the inflammation and swelling. 



Digestion first fails in this disease when the secondary or low stage of the fever comes 

 on. The food remains in the stomach undigested, where it ferments, generating a gas which 

 inflates the stomach and intestines. This state greatly affects the nervous system, and the 

 hind extremities indicate weakness by staggering on attempting to rise, and failing to do so. 

 The hind limbs sometimes under such circumstances become temporarily palsied. At this 

 stage the pulse is the only sure guide. If it is weak, fluttering, and irregular, avoid giving 

 anything of a purgative or weakening nature. The indications of the pulse of cattle have 

 already been previously given, and therefore do not require repetition in this connection. 



After the operation of the purgative, little will generally be required except good nurs 

 ing. The animal should have a warm, comfortable stable, with a thick bedding of straw or 

 VOL. 1110. 



