CATTLE 



13 



"GAMBOGE VELLUM MAJESTY, "Owiu'd bv M.U.Munn. 

 St. PauL A Grand Chauipion Jersey Bull. 



should be rubljcd lightly over the legs of 

 animals or some good fly repellaiit may be 

 used very effectively. 



When the small swellings are seen on the 

 backs of cattle in the late winter months, 

 they should be opened with a sharp knife 

 and the grub squeezed out and destroyed. 



with some swelling and tenderness above the 

 hoof. (This condition may be mistaken for 

 foul in the foot. See sheep.) 



In a short time we have sloughing of the 

 tissues abov(! the hoof, which docs not occur 

 in any disease other than ergotism. 



Treatment consists of course in a complete 

 change of food. Laxatives must be given 

 to purge the ergot from the blood, and the 

 raw places trc^ated with healing lotions. 



Sorghum Poisoning. In sections where 

 sorghum is raised W(! occasionally ex])('ricnce 

 trouble as a result of cattle eating the 

 stalks. This is particularly noticed in j^'ars 

 when the growth of sorghum has been 

 stunted on account of drouth. Animals are 

 apparently in the best of health and in a 

 short time after pasturing in the corn field 

 may drop dead. 



Cow Pox. A disease of the cow: an erup- 

 tion on the teats and udder. 



( •<■ ).\TEx\TED cows 



CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES 



Ergotism, ^\'hen grain or corn stalks are 

 affected with "smut" and young cattle par- 

 take too freely, we have a peculiar condition 

 of the lower extremities, extending from i\w. 

 hoof to the fetlock, in which the parts 

 become gangrenous or slough. 



Cause is due to ergot, a fungus which 

 destroys the grain and virtually takes its 

 place. It is recognized by its l)lue-black ap- 

 pearance, and affects the seed of any grow- 

 ing crop. It has the peculiar jiroperty wh(>n 

 taken into the system of contracting blood 

 vessels. The l)lood circulation of the feet is 

 perhaps the slowest in any portion of the 

 body. and the blood vessels being very small 

 become contracted still smaller, l)y action 

 of tlie ergot, with the result of a stoppage of 

 the circulation and consequent death or 

 gangrene of the parts. 



Tlie first symi)tom is that of lameness 

 with small vesicles in the cleft of the foot. 



The vesicles are flat and depressed in the 

 center; there may be only one or two on the 

 udder or teat. In about a week the pock 

 may be about the size of a small button, and 

 a few days later gives the appearance of a 

 black scab which finally falls off about^ the 

 third week. The disease may be transmitted 

 to the milker, and from him to other cows. 

 Apply soothing ointment to the parts. 



■L()NC;W.\TER DAIRY NL\ID." A SO.l.JO Guernsey Cow 

 LoniKwaUT f^arnis — North Easton. Mas.-i. 



