292 DROPPING AFTER CALVING IN CATTLE. 



head thrust out or turned round to the shoulder, or raised 

 quickly up, and then dashed violently down again. After a 

 time hoven commences ; the entire abdomen swells, and the 

 animal dies without any dung having passed. 



Prognosis. — It is unfavourable if the head be dashed 

 about, the milk lost, and sensation even to pressure upon 

 the eye quite gone. It is good if the purgative medicine 

 acts speedily ; if the milk is still in the udder ; if sensation is 

 retained ; if the animal moves, but keeps her head still, and 

 if the beast appears to be at all conscious of what is passing 

 around her. 



Treatment. — First order the calf to be removed ; then, if 

 the cow be still up, extract so much blood from the milk 

 vein as makes an obvious impression, and then give a strong 

 drench ; if down, order the animal to be well trussed-up on 

 either side with straw, and have a man constantly watching, 

 and the shed kept moderately warm. 



DRINK FOR DROPPING AFTER CALVING. 



Epsom salts one pound. 



Powdered gentian four ounces. 



Tincture of capsicums one ounce. 



Warm water a quart. 



Repeat half of this every six hours, till a copious motion 

 is obtained, when very often the cow will rise and walk. 

 If the medicine, however, does not act, repeat the half 

 doses at the periods stated ; or change it for half pints of 

 linseed oil, to which half a drachm of chloriform is added. 

 At the same time be attentive to the drawing of the udder 

 thoroughly thrice a day ; if no fluid be obtained, have 

 the teats gently stroked six times daily, as the return of the 

 milk is one of the best symptoms. Rub in a stimulating 

 oil, to which one-fourth its quantity of liquid ammonia 

 is added, all over the spine, from the pole to the root of the 

 tail ; and, watching the effect of the application, cover the 

 whole with warm sheep skins, which must be changed every 

 twenty-four hours, or oftener as they demand it, supposing 

 the blister not to rise. See that the animal be carefully 

 propped up with clean straw, and be raised rather higher 

 forward, so that the urine and dung may not pollute her. 

 Whenever hoven appears insert the flexible probang, to 

 withdraw the gas, and use the same instrument to inject 



