314 Diseases of Cattle. 



Accidental barrenness is quite frequent. In the large 

 majority of cases it can be traced directly to improper food 

 or exercise. This does not mean insufficient food. On the 

 contrary, probably the most common of all causes of barren- 

 ness in cows is overfeeding — to which the most valuable ani- 

 mals are for obvious reasons most exposed. 



It is well ascertained that a fat heifer is slow to heat and 

 uncertain in conception. Such animals should be turned 

 out on a poor pasture with a young bull. This will often 

 succeed in cases given up as hopeless. 



Lack of exercise is another common cause. Many in- 

 stances might be quoted where a barren cow, after driving a 

 hundred miles and then turned in with a bull, bred in a 

 short time. Part of the effect of this may be owing to change 

 of climate. For it has often been noticed that cows barren 

 on the low lands have bred when changed to a hilly, bracing 

 upland pasture ; or from the interior to the seashore. 



Fatty and sweet food, such as oil cake, sugar cane, sorghum, 

 etc., have a tendency to prevent the proper change of the 

 ovaries ; indeed, they are asserted to bring about a fatty de- 

 generation in their substance, and thus lead to permanent 

 sterility. 



Causes of an opposite kind are too great delicacy of con- 

 stitution, and a lack of vigor either irom a wasting disease, 

 over-milking or absence of nutritious food. In the first stage 

 of consumption cows generally heat violently and repeatedly, 

 but do not conceive. 



The general treatment of barrenness will be suggested by 

 the above remarks. When it appears to be owing to exces- 

 sive fat, a full dose of sulphate of magnesia, repeated two or 

 three times at intervals of a week, will aid in bringing the 

 animal to proper condition. Good breeders should be only 

 in good flesh, without being forced. Not only do they take 

 the bull more regularly, but they have healthier calves, and 

 are less liable to drop them prematurely. 



