DISEASES OF CATTLE 101 



pure and the utensil containing it thoroughly scalded 

 with hot water. Keep the animal in clean, sanitary 

 quarters, as quiet as possible for a few days, and if the 

 disease is not too far advanced a good recovery will 

 follow. 



CALVING 



Signs of Normal Calving are firmness and enlargement 

 of the udder, extending well forward following the milk 

 veins. The teats as a rule discharge a thin milky fluid, 

 relaxation of the muscles on each side of the croup or 

 the base of the tail. The outer surface of the womb be- 

 comes swollen and inflamed, discharging sticky, stringy, 

 transparent mucus. The cow becomes uneasy, stops eat- 

 ing, and if in a pasture becomes separated from the rest 

 of the herd; will lie down and get up alternately as if in 

 great agony. When birth pains start, the back is arched, 

 and a severe straining follows the contraction of the 

 abdominal muscles. The membranes covering the foetus 

 will be the first to make their appearance, engorged with 

 a fluid from the womb. This is commonly known as the 

 water bag, which eventually bursts and the two fore feet 

 can be seen, and, as the animal continues to strain, the 

 nose and head will be next to be seen. When the calf's 

 shoulders are exposed, the cow as a rule rises suddenly 

 to her feet and the entire calf is expelled, also the mem- 

 branes surrounding it, but the membranes next to the 

 womb, as a general rule, remain longer and sometimes 

 require artificial assistance to remove them. (See Re- 

 tention of the Afterbirth.) Destroy the foetal mem- 

 branes by burning or burying them deeply. Do not per- 

 mit the cow to eat them. Wash the calf's navel with 

 Bichloride of Mercury, one part to one thousand parts 

 water, once or twice a day until the navel is thoroughly 

 dry, as an infection may follow, producing Joint 111 or 

 Scours, from which death may result. 



Abnormal Calving: This is a condition where the 



