NEAT CATTLE. 237 



MANAGEMENT AFTER CALVING. 



We give separate articles on the important subjects of 

 the Placenta and Biestings. Be careful and not give 

 cold water after calving. The following is excellent : 

 Throw a few embers into a pailful of water. This will 

 warm the water, and the slight alkaline quality will be 

 good. It is much better to give warm water for several 

 days. If a cow be in a high condition, or tolerably high, 

 it is best to give a dose of mild physic. To guard against 

 fever and garget, it would be well, in all cases, to give 

 a gentle laxative. For a few days feed lightly. Warm 

 mashes are excellent. Do not feed largely, even on hay, 

 but if she be greedy after food, give some good straw. 

 If a cow be weak and exhausted, after calving, give 

 herb drinks, as warm as can be borne, and warm gruel, 

 for nourishment. Thoroughwort tea is excellent, as it 

 serves as a stomachic to warm and strengthen the 

 bowels, and as a good physic. If the cow be weak, do 

 not give a strong dose of physic, yet a large quantity of 

 tea will have a favorable effect. Dr. Holmes, whose 

 excellent authority we have occasionally quoted, informs 

 us that he had a heifer that was exhausted in her efforts 

 in giving birth to her young. She was cold in the ex- 

 tremities, and unable to stand. He gave her a gallon 

 of thoroughwort tea, as hot as she could bear. In a few 

 minutes she revived, rose up, and immediately dis- 

 charged the afterbirth, or placenta. This immediate 

 effect was owing to the heat in the liquor. 



When a cow is so exhausted that she cannot rise, she 

 must be assisted in rising, and moving round a little, if 

 possible, or fastened up awhile, by sacking or wide straps, 

 else she will soon lose the use of her limbs. Cows that 

 calve in March, or during cool weather in April, often 

 suffer by standing out exposed to cold winds, and still 

 more when standing in deep mire or manure. Kind and 

 gentle treatment, and great care and attention, are ne- 

 cessary at this critical period ; and well does this highly 

 useful and bounteous animal deserve these favors from 

 those whom she nourishes and supports, and their chil- 



