268 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE. 



expression in her eye, and is cross to other animals, and will try- 

 to get away by herself, after this the labor pains come on and she 

 is noticed to be straining, then the neck of the womb opens out, 

 the water bag- appears and breaks, and if the calf is coming natural 

 and everything all right, the front legs and head appears. The 

 cow generally lies down, and after a few minutes of severe strain- 

 ing the calf is delivered, and the cleaning, placenta or afterbirth 

 generally comes away at the time of calving, or very soon after. 



DROPSY OF THE WOMB BEFORE CALVING. 



This is due to some derangement of the afterbirth, and there 

 is an over abundant amount of fluid secreted around the calf, in 

 some cases several pailfuls collect in the womb around the calf. 



Symptoms. — The belly keeps getting larger and larger until 

 the cow seems almost as broad as she is long, and on account of 

 so much fluid forming she becomes weak and has difficulty in 

 getting up and walking around. 



Treatment. — There cannot be much done in this disease only 

 keep the strength up, give a teaspoonful of nitrate of potash or 

 saltpetre in a mash every third day until she calves, this is to act 

 on her kidneys, which helps to get the water out of the womb. 

 Feed plenty of good, strong, nourishing food to keep her strength 

 up and she will be all right after calving. 



PARALYSIS OF HIND QUARTERS BEFORE CALVING. 



This disease is generally noticed in poorly-fed, unthrifty 

 cows, especially if they are exposed to cold or wet, and is caused 

 by the calf in the womb pressing on the nerves that go to supply 

 the hind quarters with power. 



Symptoms. — The cow appears healthy — is eating and chewing 

 her cud, but is not able to rise on her hind parts. 



Treatment. — Give half-pound doses of Epsom salts once or 

 twice a week, according to how it acts on the bowels, and give 

 the following powder: 



Ground Gentian Root I pound. 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre ^ " 



Powdered Nux Vomica ^ " 



Mix and give a tablespoonful in a slop twice a day. Give 

 plenty of good food ; keep her warm ; have good bedding under 

 her, and turn her from side to side twice a day until she calves, 

 then she generally comes all right. Never attempt to put her in 

 slings, just let her lie until she is able to get up. 



