150 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MILK HYGIENE 



3. Examination for Symptoms of Disease. This exami- 

 nation consists of two parts: (a) General examination 

 and (b) special examination. 



(a) GENERAL EXAMINATION 



The general examination is made first, with the cow 

 in the stall. Taking a position in the rear and slightly 

 to one side, the inspector proceeds with the examination 

 in the following order: 



1. Attitude. Note the general appearance, the car- 

 riage of the head, position of the ears (erect or hanging) , 

 standing position, behavior (quiet or restless) . 



Dullness or depression from fever, also weakness and pain 

 may be discovered in this way. Very sick animals and those 

 with a high fever usually hold the head low, with the ears 

 drooping. In severe vaginitis and metritis, and sometimes in 

 constipation and colic, cows stand with the back arched, head 

 lowered, tail elevated, and legs spread apart. Sometimes cows 

 affected with vaginitis stand a long time in the attitude of 

 urination. An arched back and erect hair, in association with 

 shivering and a cold skin are symptoms of fever, although they 

 are not constant. In dyspnoea and sore throat the head is 

 extended. Pain causes restlessness ; soreness of the extremities 

 is indicated by resting the affected limb, or, when more than one 

 limb is affected, by continually shifting the body weight from 

 one leg to another. Cows often lie down during the day, espe- 

 cially after eating, and do not rise on the approach of man; 

 therefore, a recumbent position is of less significance with these 

 animals than in the case of the horse. A disposition to lie down 

 continually may be due to articular rheumatism or to osteo- 

 malacia. Inability to rise is caused by paralysis (spinal frac- 

 tures), milk fever, and ante and postpartum paralysis. Some- 

 times refusal to rise is due to stubbornness. 



2. Skin and Hear. Observe the condition of the skin 

 and hair and look for swellings, enlargements and irregu- 

 larities of form. 



