PARTURIENT FEVER. 533 



PARTURIENT FEVER. 



This disorder is more commonly known by the name 

 of milk-fever. Most cases of parturition are characterized 

 by a greater or less febrile disturbance, elevation of tem- 

 perature, and the various indications of fever, which, 

 occurring about the time of parturition, has received the 

 name of parturient or milk fever, and may occur in all 

 animals, but is most frequently observed afFecting cows. 



Symptoms. — The animal shows more or less dulness. 

 Fever is present, as is evidenced by the state of the pulse, 

 and may exist in a very mild or a very severe form. The 

 udder becomes hot, and in some cases severely inflamed, 

 and no milk is secreted. The pulsations increase in rapidity ; 

 the appetite may, or may not, be affected, but in nearly all 

 cases there is increased thirst. 



Treatment. — A saline laxative, or even a purgative, may 

 be administered if the patient be a cow. In the case of 

 a mare, cathartics need not be given. Fomentations of 

 hot water should be freely applied to the udder, and the 

 patient frequently milked. Diuretics will generally be 

 found to exert a beneficial effect, and food of a laxative 

 character should be given. 



PARTURIENT PERITONITIS. 



This dangerous condition may be induced by difficult 

 parturition, or very rough usage during parturition. Long 

 drives either before or after parturition, exposure to cold 

 and wet weather, etc., are likely to be followed by an 

 attack. 



Symptoms. — The disease most commonly occurs subsequent 

 to the act of parturition, the patient first showing slight 

 dulness, followed shortly by more or less uneasiness, which 

 increases as the disease progresses. The pulsations increase 

 in rapidity, and become wiry in character; the breathing 



