238 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



dren also. Her rich treasures are divided between them 

 and her own offspring. 



COWS EATING THE PLACENTA. 



The general practice in this country, in New England 

 at least, is to prevent cows from eating the placenta, 

 after-birth, or cleanings ; but some intelligent managers 

 of stock allow cows to eat it, and this is the general 

 custom in England ; and, as it is in accordance with 

 nature, the vigilance of man cannot always prevent it. 

 We have known many instances of cows eating the 

 after-birth, and never had reason to suppose that any 

 injury arose from their following the dictates of nature. 

 It is supposed to have some salutary medicinal effect. 

 Some apprehend danger from cows choking themselves 

 in this way ; but we have no account of an instance of 

 the kind, and it has been remarked that there is no more 

 danger of this than of a tobacco-chewer getting choked 

 with his quid. 



GIVING COWS BIESTINGS. 



Numerous cases are mentioned in which cows have 

 been injured by drinking biestings, or first-drawn milk 

 after the calf has sucked, especially when they gave a 

 large mess. In some cases it has proved fatal. In one 

 case an examination was made, and the milk was in the 

 manifold ; " it had shut those parts close together, so 

 that nothing could pass." Giving a cow her milk is 

 unnatural, and it is very rich food for an animal in a 

 weak and delicate condition. 



Lovett Peters, Esq., of Westborough, a farmer of long 

 experience and nice observation, offered to the public, 

 through the "Massachusetts Ploughman," several arti- 

 cles against giving cows biestings ; he was supported by 

 a number of farmers, who showed its injurious effects 

 On the contrary, several intelligent farmers gave in- 

 stances of cows drinking biestings without injury. The 

 sa^r way is to avoid this unnatural course. 



