276 MILK FEVER. — SYMPTOMS. 



animal is often first seen lying down, unable to rise ; 

 prostration of strength and violent fever are brought on 

 by inflammation of the womb. But soon a general 

 inflammatory action succeeds, rapid and violent, with 

 complete prostration of all the vital forces, bidding 

 defiance to the best-selected remedies. 



Cows in very high condition, and cattle removed from 

 low keeping to high feeding, are the most liable to 

 puerperal lever. It occurs most frequently during the 

 hot weather of summer, and then it is most dangerous. 

 When it occurs in winter, cows sometimes recover. In 

 hot weather they usually die. 



Milk fever ma}' be induced by the hot drinks often 

 given after calving. A young cow at her first calving 

 is rarely attacked with it. Great milkers are most com- 

 monly subject to it; but all cows have generally more 

 or less fever at calving. A little addition to it, by im- 

 proper treatment or neglect, will prevent the secretion 

 of milk ; and thus the milk, being thrown back into the 

 system, will increase the inflammation. 



This disease sometimes shows itself in the short 

 space of two or three hours after calving, but often not 

 under two or three days. If four or five days have 

 passed, the cow may generally be considered safe. The 

 earliest symptoms of this disease are as follows : 



The animal is restless, frequently shifting her posi- 

 tion ; occasionally pawing and heaving at the flanks. 

 Muzzle hot and dry, the mouth open, and tongue 

 out at one side ; countenance wild ; eyes staring. She 

 moans often, and soon becomes very irritable. Delirium 

 follows ; she grates her teeth, foams at the mouth, 

 tosses her head about, and frequently injures herself. 

 From the first, the udder is hot, enlarged, and tender ; 

 and if this swelling is attended by a suspension of milk, 

 the cause is clear. As the case is inflammatory, its 



