554 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vi. 



prostration is considerable the strength will require to be supported by 

 well-boiled milk and eggs. A tempting nutritive diet, such as oatmeal 

 boiled or raw, malt meal, sweet bran or pollard, is necessary to uphold 

 the strength, and with it a little salt and carbonate of potash may be 

 advantageously administered. When the more acute symptoms have 

 subsided the medicines above referred to may be discontinued, and a 

 dose of sulphate of iron administered morning and evening in the food 

 until convalescence is re-established. 



INDIGESTION IN CALVES, " WHITE SCOUE," OB "SKIT." This disease 

 most frequently arises out of a bad system of feeding and of general 

 management, though its direct cause is now attributed to a minute 

 organism, which is spread from one animal to another by means of dirt, 

 decomposing milk, &c. Among the causes predisposing to attacks of 

 the disease may be mentioned, over-crowding, bad ventilation, and want 

 of cleanliness. The practice of allowing manure to accumulate in the 

 calf-house and give off its foul emanations while every outlet is closed, as 

 frequently occurs, is much to be condemned. Stale milk, and milk fed 

 out of dirty pails, will, if persisted in, disorder the function of digestion. 

 Calves which have done a long railway journey, or have been exposed for 

 many hours in the market without food, are very liable to suffer, when 

 allowed an unlimited supply of milk, and especially if that be stale, or 

 if it has been exposed to the atmosphere of a foul dairy or other 

 apartment. Calves transferred from the teat to the pail, if permitted 

 to gulp down the milk greedily, are more liable to suffer than others 

 naturally fed. Too long intervals between feeding are also conducive 

 to indigestion. 



Some disorders of the dam so far influence the quality and composi- 

 tion of the milk as to render it hurtful to the calf. Water containing 

 sewage, or largely charged with decomposing organic matter, has this 

 effect in certain cases, and the same may be said of decomposing roots, 

 rank herbage, and sudden changes of food. Long fasting and fatigue 

 also influence the lacteal secretion prejudicially, and render it unwhole- 

 some to the offspring. Some calves cannot tolerate the milk of foster 

 mothers, and especially that of old calved cows however wholesome it 

 may appear to be. Fright and excitement also tend to impair the milk, 

 and impart to it irritant properties. 



The Symptoms of Gastro-enteritis are sometimes sudden in their 

 onset and severe, at others gradual and progressive. The general 

 appearance and behaviour of the little patient undergoes a marked 

 change. The coat loses its lustre, and becomes rough and " stareing," 

 there is dulness and loss of appetite and a desire to lie down con- 

 stantly, the muzzle is dry, and the mouth hot and clammy. The belly 

 is tucked up, and the back arched, but the main feature of the disorder 

 is the repeated discharge of stinking fascal evacuations of a pale yellow 

 colour and sharp pungent odour. At first the motions are fairly con- 

 sistent, but they soon become semi-fluid, and on examination are found 

 to contain a large amount of mucus as well as firm curdy masses, and 

 sometimes blood. Pain and straining attend their discharge, and a 



