CARE AND FEEDING OF DAIRY CATTLE. 53 



heat period will usually last one day or more, and the periods occur about three 

 weeks apart. The proper time for preparing the above mixture may thus be reckoned 

 !>y sotting down the dates of heat periods. 



(S'o(/, Treatment for Sterility. Acid conditions often exist in the vagina and 

 womb of the barren animal. In these cases alkaline solutions are beneficial in acting 

 as neutralizes. About an hour before service inject into the vagina % gallon of 

 lukewarm water containing 1 tablespoonful of bicarbonate of soda (baking-powder).. 

 The passage may first be cleansed with warm water and the mouth of the womb 

 dilated. Even better results are claimed from the use of % oz. of pure phosphate 

 of soda in 2 quarts of water. This latter must be kept in a tightly closed bottle to 

 prevent change. These solutions may also be used two or three times a week. Half 

 an ounce of either substance may also be fed daily in the feed for ten days before 

 service. 



LEUCORRHCEA VAGINAL DISCHARGES. 



Leucorrhcea is caused by chronic inflammation of the womb or vagina, or both. 

 It may follow injuries, or retention of the after-birth, or exposure to cold, or any 

 other disturbance of the health at the time of parturition. The main symptom is 

 the glairy white discharge which flows when the cow lies down. If the discharge 

 continues and is putrid, the health fails and the milk-flow shrinks. Half an ounce 

 of granular hyposulphite of soda dissolved in 2 gallons of blood-warm water is a 

 useful injection. If not quickly effective, change to a solution of permanganate of 

 potash. Strong solutions should not be used. Better results are had from the 

 frequent use of large quantities of mild antiseptics, 1 to 1,000 down to 1 to 5,000. 

 Permanganate of potash is a safe antiseptic to use in a great variety of cases. It 

 is non-irritating. 



Discharges may also occur as the result of inflammation of the vagina ^vagiu- 

 itis). In granular vaginitis nodules can often be seen on the inner mucous 

 membrane. This form of the disease is infectious and may affect heifer calves as 

 well as cows. Thorough disinfection, both internal and external, is the remedy, 

 specially before breeding. In addition to the injections before mentioned, it is 

 recommended to give by the mouth daily ^ oz. of hyposulphite of soda for ten days, 

 then miss a week and commence again. This substance is a good internal antiseptic. 



' POISONING. 



Cattle are liable to poisoning, especially by poisonous weeds, such as water- 

 hemlock or poison-hemlock. There are many different kinds of poisoning, so that 

 only general treatment can be given here. 



A non-irritating purgative should be given, 1 to 4 pints of castor-oil or raw 

 linseed-oil. For poisoning by a narcotic, 10 to 20 drops of croton-oil should be added. 

 Repeat the dose in two or three hours if necessary. To protect the lining of the 

 intestines, give large quantities of the whites of eggs, milk, butter, lard, or olive-oil. 

 Baking-powder may be used to neutralize acid poisons and diluted vinegar in the case 

 of alkali poisoning. 



KICKING Cows. 



The habit of kicking may easily be formed in a heifer if she is abused the first 

 time she is milked. A kicking cow or heifer should never be struck. She can easily 

 be prevented from kicking by a heavy strap or rope with a loop. The tie is looped 

 around one leg above the hock, and then tied lightly enough around the other to draw 

 both legs well together. 



SELT-SUCKING Cows. 



A good remedy for this vice is to insert a bull-ring in the cow's nose, and then 

 hang another ring to the first. 



