1 68 PROFITABLE DAIRYING 



the air is worked through the udder. The tapes 

 should be removed three or four hours after the 

 cow gets on her feet. The operation may be re- 

 peated. When recovery is assured the air should 

 be worked out by the process used in milking. 



The progress of milk fever is rapid. If not ar- 

 rested, the animal usually dies in from ten to 

 twenty-four hours. The symptoms looked for are : 

 first, a vacant stare of the eyes, accompanied with 

 slight twitching of the muscles. The cow usually 

 refuses food and drink. She ceases to ruminate. 

 These symptoms are followed by evidences of 

 acute pain in the body, weakness and staggering 

 and often actions suggestive of insanity. The hind 

 quarters become stiff and inactive and the animal 

 goes down. She may get up two or three times, but 

 is soon unable to get to her feet. She bends her 

 neck toward the side. This is a characteristic 

 symptom. If she be disturbed she will resume her 

 former position. When she goes down remedies at 

 the mouth are useless. She cannot swallow. Her 

 eyes become glassy and fixed. This is followed by 

 continued depression. Unless relief is speedily had, 

 death follows in a few hours. 



The foregoing remedy is the nearest a specific 

 for this disease that has yet been discovered. After 

 the cow is attacked there is little time to seek the 

 druggist for the remedies. All this should be ready 

 beforehand. The faeces, which will be hard, should 

 be removed by the hand and this be followed by a 

 copious injection of castile soap suds. In the ab- 

 sence of that, soft soap suds will do. A handful or 

 so of salt may be added to the gallon of soap and 



