DISEASES OF CATTLE 167 



tion, and to cause abortion. A good temperature for the drink of 

 the dairy cow is 55 F. 



In the case of plethoric and heavy milking cows of mature age 

 and in the prime of life, the hitherto liberal diet must be changed 

 at the last week for the scantiest possible fare, and the bowels must 

 be kept open by laxatives, if need be, if the owner would avoid 

 milk fever. The pregnant cow should be kept away from the sight 

 and odor of dead carcasses, from the smell of decomposing animal 

 matter, and from stagnant and corrupting water. Her stall should 

 not incline downward from shoulder to croup, lest the pressure 

 of the abdominal organs should produce protrusion or abortion. 

 She should be kept aloof from all causes of acute diseases, and all 

 existing diseases should be remedied speedily and with as little ex- 

 citement of the abdominal organs as possible. Strong purgatives 

 and diuretics are to be especially avoided, unless it be in the very 

 last days of gestation in very plethoric cows. 



Finally, in the case of pure breeds, close association with ani- 

 mals of other breeds or crosses, or with animals of other colors, 

 forms, or with defects, is to be carefully guarded against. The ef- 

 fects shown in the progeny may be exceptional, yet they are none 

 the less sources of preventable loss. 



PROTRUSION OF THE VAGINA (PROLAPSUS VAGINAE). 



This is common during pregnancy from chronic relaxation of 

 the vaginal walls and from lying in stalls that are lower behind 

 than in front. The protrusion is of a rounded form and smooth, 

 and if it embraces both sides of the canal it is double, with a pas- 

 sage between. It may sometimes be remedied by raising the hind 

 part of the stall higher than the front part. This failing, a truss 

 may be applied as for eversion of the womb, and worn until the 

 period of calving approaches. 



HERNIA (BREACH) OP THE UTERUS. 



This occurs usually in advanced pregnancy from a gradual re- 

 laxation and distention of the lower wall of the abdomen in the 

 region of the udder, so that the latter is displaced downward, and 

 in the sac above and in front of it may be felt the form and move- 

 ments of the fetus. In other cases the womb escapes through a 

 great laceration of the abdominal muscles to one side of the udder, 

 and the hernial mass extends down to one side of that organ. 

 However unsightly, this often allows the animal to complete its preg- 

 nancy naturally, and a broad supporting bandage placed around 

 the abdomen is about all that can be recommended. After calving 

 it is best to fatten the cow. 



CRAMPS OF THE HIND LIMBS. 



The compression by the womb and fetus of the nerves passing 

 through the pelvis sometimes causes cramp and inability to move 

 the limb, but it disappears under friction and motion and is never 

 seen after calving. 



DROPSY OF THE HIND LIMBS AND BETWEEN THE THIGHS. 



In the latter months of pregnancy the hind legs may swell 

 beneath the hocks, or a soft swelling which pits on pressure with 



