DISEASES OF CATTLE TREATMENT 93 



Milk Fever. 



This disease is most prevalent among plethoric cows or those having ex- 

 cessive fullness of the blood vessels. It occurs only at or near the time of 

 calving. 



Symptoms. Sudden loss of voluntary movement and sensations, showing 

 collapse of nervous power. In the congestive form the cow droops the head, 

 shows uneasiness, sudden dullness, staggers, eyes appear red and pupils are 

 dilated, no longer notices feed or calf, unable to rise after lying down, her 

 nose often resting on the right flank. Pulse is high and she struggles con- 

 vulsively. 



Milk Fever 



Treatment. The distention of the udder with common air has proved 

 invariably successful in all kinds of cases. It is best to have on hand an 

 elastic rubber ball such as the common Davidson syringe with tubes. Into 

 the free end of the delivery tubes fit a milking tube. Before using, sterilize 

 by boiling the entire apparatus for 30 minutes. Use warm soap suds to 

 wash the teats and udder, rinse with a 5 percent solution of carbolic acid. 

 Insert the end of the tube into the teat and fill as full of air as it will hold. 

 After withdrawing the tube, tie a broad tape around the end of the teat 

 to prevent escape of the air. In case of emergency, use a bicycle pump ; 

 even an automobile pump has been used successfully. Be as careful to 

 prevent infection as possible. 



Navel Rupture. 



The navel or umbilicus is the passage through which the blood vessels pass 

 from the womb to the fetus or unborn calf. Sometimes this aperture remains 

 open and a portion of the bowels or lining of the stomach may slip through 

 the opening. This may be caused by any severe straining or blow on the 

 belly. 



Treatment. The smaller ruptures often cure themselves. Where there 

 are no indications of the rupture healing of its own accord, place the calf on its 

 back and gently assist the organs to return into the abdomen. Clip the hair from 

 the skin covering the hernia, smear the skin with pitch and cover with about ten 

 folds of cotton or linen used as a compress. Next pass a bandage about 4 inches 

 wide round the body to hold the compress in place. Smear bandage and compress 



