264 diseases of cattle. 



Eetextiox of the Placenta, or After-birtit. — 

 If the cow has gone her full time with calf, and is in a 

 Ijealthy condition, the after-birth will not be retained long 

 after she has given birth to her calf. When a cow docs 

 not cleanse properly, and Avithin a reasonable time, there 

 is then something other Avise wrong with her health, such 

 as debility and Avant of vitality in the system. It is this 

 that must be looked to, and not the want of timely cleans- 

 ing that demands attention, as being the cause of the cow 

 not doing well after calving. ' Remedy these existing 

 causes, and the cow Avill cleanse properly enough. Con- 

 trary to the generally received opinion of farmers and 

 others, the retention of the after-birth for a day or two 

 will do no harm, provided that decomposition does not 

 take place Avith the after-birth ; for in such cases, the 

 Avhole system of the coav is apt to be contaminated and 

 poisoned. 



Treatment. Cows not having cleansed properly Avithin 

 twenty-four hours after calving, should be giA^n the fol- 

 JOAving mixture : Epsom salts, one pound; poAvdered ginger, 

 one ounce; powdered fcenugreek, one ounce; caraway seeds, 

 half an ounce ; mix, and giA^e in three or four bottles of 

 Avarm ale, porter or Avarm Avater, sweetened Avilh molasses. 

 This mixture not haA'ing the desired effect in tweh'e hours, 

 the hand, Avell greased, should be introduced, and the 

 after-birth at the attachments, called cotyledons, gently 

 pressed. This must not be accompanied Avith much pulling, 

 as pressure with the finger and thumb will be all that is 

 Avanted. This operation may be followed by giving the 

 cow a little Avarm ale or molasses Avatcr, Avith half an ounce 

 of poAvdered ergot of rye ; and in half an hour, an addi- 

 tional half ounce. This Avill cause contraction of the AA^omb, 

 and expulsion of the placenta. When decomposition or 



