COWS. 25 



As a corollary to this, it may be as well to warn 

 the beginner that cows in calf, the more especially 

 when far gone, should not be kept in the same field 

 as calves or yearlings. The heaviest cow is sure to 

 be the first to frolic and leap about. Hence the 

 mourned occurrence of many a dead or displaced 

 calf. Equally hazardous is the disposition of their 

 soberer companions capriciously to give a lunge in 

 passing to their labouring neighbour. Better, then, 

 that they enjoy a small croft to themselves. Near to 

 the cowsheds, under the herdsman's eye, with an aired 

 box well strewn at hand, it will often be the saving 

 of a calf which, further away, had perished for the 

 want of obstetric help. It will be a sign to you that 

 a cow is ailing if her eyes be dull and her horns hot. 

 In the morning, as you take your rounds, notice the 

 top of each animal's nose ; if pearls of moisture, as 

 dewdrops, hang therefrom, the cow is well ; but if the 

 nose be hot, dry, and scurfy, then some distemper is 

 stealing up. By the same token, in man is a rosy 

 underlip the surest criterion of good condition. As 

 you go up to them in their stalls, or upon the field, 

 pass your hand along their backs, leaning slightly. 

 If they shrink and give way they are ailing, they 

 have probably a chill. A dose of salts, well laced 

 with cordial powder, will usually set them right. A 

 bleeding helps, but is to be avoided in the case of a 

 milch cow, if the case be not urgently inflammatory. 

 Most bovine diseases turn rapidly to obstinate con- 

 stipation. If your cowman notice one to be off her 

 feed and tell you (an unusual fact with too many), he 

 will probably add that she has " the tail-ill," and will 



