FALSE PRESENTATIONS. — MILK FEVER. 275 



legs, just above the hoofs ; but no effort should be 

 made to draw out the calf till the natural throes are re- 

 peated. If the nostril of the calf has protruded, and the 

 position is then found to be unnatural, the head cannot 

 be thrust back without destroying the life of the calf. 



The false position most usually presented is that of 

 the head first, with the legs doubled under the belly. A 

 cord is then fixed around the lower jaw, when it is 

 pushed back, to give an opportunity to adjust the fore 

 legs, if possible. The object must now be to save the 

 life of the cow. 



But the cases of false presentation, though compara- 

 tively rare, are so varied that no directions could be 

 given which would be applicable in all cases. 



After calving the cow will require but little care, if she 

 is in the barn, and protected from changes of weather. 

 A warm bran mash is usually given, and the state of 

 the udder examined. 



Puerperal or Milk Fever. — Calving is often at 

 tended with feverish excitement. The change of power- 

 ful action from the womb to the udder causes much 

 constitutional disturbance and local inflammation. A cow 

 is subject to nervousness in such circumstances, which 

 sometimes extends to the whole system, and causes 

 puerperal fever. This complaint is called droj^ping 

 after calving, because it succeeds that process. The 

 prominent symptom is a loss of power over the motion 

 of the hind extremities, and inability to stand ; some- 

 times loss of sensibility in these parts, so that a deep 

 puncture with a pin, or other sharp instrument, is unfelt. 



This disease is much to be dreaded by the farmer, on 

 account of the high state of excitement and the local 

 inflammation. Either from neglect or ignorance, the mal- 

 ady is not discovered until the manageable symptoms 

 have passed, and extreme debility has appeared. The 



