248 



made, to discover the cause. If the teeth are at fault, the offending 

 ones, or shells must be removed, and, if necessary, the gums scarified ; 

 but, if worms are suspected, a dose of worm medicine, (see Appendix), 

 followed by a purgative, should be given. As a nerve sedative, either 

 the bromide of soda or potassium (par. 586) may be administered with 

 advantage. 



589. Puerperal Eclampsia. — Several cases of this peculiar 

 epileptic form of nervous excitement in cows have come under my 

 observation, ranging from cows on the point of calving to cows 

 that have been calved several days. At first, the cow is noticed to 

 be very excitable, paddling with the hind feet, switching the tail, 

 pointing out the nose, and holding the head upwards and backwards ; 

 the eyes are wild and staring, and the milk secretion is partially 

 suspended ; in fact, the animal shows all the early symptoms of an 

 attack of milk fever. But by far the most prominent symptom is the 

 extreme sensitiveness of the skin, for the moment you touch, or even 

 attempt to touch its body, the cow will give a loud bellow, open the 

 mouth wide, stick out the tongue, and attempt to jump to one side 

 and kick out. The breathing is very quick, and the pulse is full and 

 strong. Treatment. — Bleeding to the extent of from four to six 

 quarts, followed with from four to eight drachm doses of chloral 

 hydrate in a pint of cold milk, is serviceable. This medicine can be 

 repeated, four or five hours afterwards, if required. The following, 

 however, should be administered as a purgative, viz. : — 2 lbs. castor oil, 

 and 2 lbs. treacle, in two quarts of thin gruel ._ Asa rule, this mode of 

 treatment, along with spare feeding on nice digestible food, is very 

 successful. 



590. Sunstroke (see Stomach Staggers, pars. 245 and 305). 



591. Louping-ill, Trotter-ill, Trembling, or Sheep Staggers. — 



This malady is more common in sheep, than in any other animal ; cows, 

 however, are sometimes affected. It is mostly seen in Scotland and 

 the North of England, more particularly in Northumberland. It 

 generally appears in the spring, about the middle of April, and 



