28 



fever or parturient apoplexy, two diseases differing widel}' in char- 

 acter and symptoms, but both included in the con*inon term, " drop- 

 ping after calving," and both rendered more probable and more 

 dangerous by the treatment I have described. Of course we do not 

 want to return to the wiry hardiness and comparative milklessness of 

 the wild cow ; and fortunately this is not necessary. In a quite ex- 

 tensive expe;ience I have never had a case of dropping after calving ; 

 and v, ith wide opportunities of observation, I have never known of a 

 case which was not, in my opinion, directly traceable to overfeeding 

 either before or aftei" calving. Of the two, I am inclined to charge 

 by far the greater number of cases to afterfeeding. A bran mash, 

 or even a copious draught of tepid water are all sufficient to overload 

 the flabby prostrate stomach, and any derangement at this crisis 

 meets with a terrible sympathy on the part of the "co-ordinate 

 organs. 



ItMS a disputed point whether or not the cow should be allowed to 

 eat the secunderies or after-birth. It is the cows nature in a wild 

 state to hide, or, as it is technically called, to ''lay up" her calf, un- 

 til it is strong enough to follow her safely snd easily ; and it is 

 plainly desirable that this retreat should be as free as possible from 

 all odors which might attract beasts of pre}'. To this end, the cow 

 is taught by her instinct to eat not only the secunderies, or after- 

 birth, but also all the excretions of her offspring, for several days 

 after its birth. Now, whenever Nature oi' Providence ordains the 

 instinctive performance of any function, it usually provides that the 

 results shall be harmonious and beneficial ; and it seems fair to pre- 

 sume that the eating of the placenta, tends to the healthy regulation 

 of the CO AS system, and promotes and assists the secretion of milk 

 for the calf. 



In practice 1 allow all heifers and most cows to follow the prompt- 

 ings of their instinct ; but, in the case of very large milkers, I some- 

 times remove the placenta ; because I regard their condition as en- 

 tirely artificial and abnormal, and I carefully avoid any indulgence which 

 might add to the labors of the already overtaxed system. I will say, 

 however, that I never knew a cow in any way injured by eating the 

 placenta ; while, on the other hand, I have thought that heifers espe- 

 cially are sensibly benefitted by it. 



I make no apology for the introduction and discussion of this sub- 

 ject, because I am writing for those who have sense enough to appre- 

 ciate the wisdom and beaut}' of nature's provisions. For the rest, I only 



