366 BOVINE OBSTETRICS 



with bloody diarrhoea). After a few days all the patients 

 recovered. 



Therapeutics. — It is natural that in a disease of which the 

 aetiology is so dark, the methods of treatment are numerous, 

 the curative agents multiple, and the results of their admin- 

 istration variable. 



Prophylaxis. — Experience teaches us that extensive feeding 

 and a long period of dryness in cows calving for the third, 

 fourth, or more times, predisposes to the disease. Therefore 

 many advise to give fat, lymphatic animals in the last stage of 

 pregnancy intensive but not voluminous food, and to shorten 

 the period of dryness as much as possible. 



In case pregnant animals are out on pasture in the summer, 

 they should not be brought into the stable to calve, but partu- 

 rition is best allowed to take place in the open air. Many 

 stock owners through practical experience live up to this rule. 



Thomassen, Walther and others recommend as prophylaxis 

 to milk fat cows and heavy milkers before birth. Venesection 

 on the day previous to parturition, the administration of pur- 

 gatives, for instance, Epsom salts, are also suggested as prophy- 

 lactic agents. While practicing in localities where parturient 

 paresis was common, venesection was often practiced. I have 

 never seen any evil results from it or large doses of Epsom salts. 



STANDARD RULES IN THE TREATMENT OF PARTURIENT PARESIS. 



The cow must lie straight, that is, upon the flexed knees 

 and hocks, and a little on the right side. In this position tym- 

 panitis often disappears, quite marked while lying flat on the 

 side. When the animal is too restless to stay in the straight 

 position the body must be banked with bundles of straw. The 

 animal must always be watched. It happened that a cow 

 which moved forward, wedged the head into a corner and 

 suffocated. 



The urine is to be drawn from the bladder. Ordinarily it 

 suffices to pass the finger into the urethral opening; when 

 necessary, the catheter is used. Also by pressing upon the 

 urinary bladder from the rectum it may be evacuated. 



