DISEASES OF THE GENERATIVE ORGANS 



89 



marked. The different body functions are interfered with; 

 the urine is retained, bloating occurs, respirations are slow, 

 pulse weak and temperature subnormal or normal. 



Preventive treatment, such as feeding a spare diet during 

 the latter period of pregnancy, is not always advisable. Heavy 

 milkers should be given one-half pound of Glauber's salts a day 

 or two before calving, and the dose repeated when the cow be- 

 comes fresh. Cows affected with milk-fever seldom die if 

 treated promptly. 



The treatment consists in empty- 

 ing the udder by milking and 

 injecting air or oxygen gas into 

 the gland until it is completely 

 distended (Fig. 21). The milk- 

 fever apparatus should be clean, 

 and the air injected filtered. Be- 

 fore introducing the milking tube 

 into the milk duct, the udder should 

 first be washed with a disinfectant, 

 and a clean towel laid on the floor 

 for the gland to rest on. After 

 injecting the quarter, strips of 

 muslin or tape should be 

 around the ends of the teats to pre- 

 vent the escape of the air. If the cow does not show indications 

 of recovery in from four to five hours, the treatment should be 

 repeated. 



It is very necessary to give the cow a comfortable stall and 

 protect her from any kind of exposure. ^N^o bulky drenches 

 should be administered. If she lies stretched out, the fore parts 

 should be raised by packing straw under her. This is necessary 

 in order to prevent pneumonia, caused by regurgitated feed 

 entering the air passages and lungs. It is very advisable to 

 give her the following mixture for a few days after the attack: 



Fig. 21. — Milk-fever apparatus: 

 tied (A) pump; (B) filter; (C) rubber tub- 

 ing; and (D) milk tube. 



