Parturient Paresis in the Cow 935 



Denmark, in 1897, when he introduced his plan of handhng the 

 disease by the introduction into the udder of a solution of iodide 

 of potassium, commingled with atmospheric air. Later, various 

 practitioners found that, failing to have the potassium iodide at 

 hand, the distension of the udder by other liquids, such as very 

 weak disinfecting solutions or normal salt solution, possessed a 

 similar efficiency. Then oxygen was substituted for the potas- 

 sium iodide solution, and its efficiency was found to be even 

 greater. From this experience it was readily surmised that, in 

 default of pure oxygen, the mixture of oxygen and nitrogen of 

 atmospheric air might answer the purpose, and clinical experience 

 early demonstrated this to be a fact. Today oxygen and atmos- 

 pheric air are used indifferently, and with very great success. 



The discovery of Schmidt, with its gradual development, 

 leading to the now universally accepted mode of handling 

 parturient paresis, constitutes one of the most remarkable 

 and beneficent advances in therapeutics in the history of 

 veterinary medicine. It has transformed one of the most 

 fatal of diseases into one which, when promptly handled, 

 is almost robbed of its mortality. 



Prior to the investigations of Schmidt, parturient paresis 

 was a great obstacle to the advancement of efficiency in 

 dairy cows. As soon as a cow showed high efficiency, 

 imminent danger to her life from parturient paresis at 

 once arose, and the ranks of the best dairy cows annually 

 suffered appalling losses. 



Under the treatment with air or oxygen, the mortality in 

 parturient paresis in the cow has dropped from 60-75% to 

 less than 5%, in those cases which are promptly attended and in 

 which there has been no meddling by the administration of 

 medicines by the mouth. 



From the standpoint of prophylaxis, the attitude of the pro- 

 fes.sion has been quite generally modified by the advent of the 

 present method of handling. Formerly it was advised in many 

 cases to withdraw a portion of the milk from the udder before 

 the cow calved, and to keep her well milked immediateh' after 

 calving, but this rule has been reversed, and it is now advised to 

 leave the udder full}- distended with colostrum or milk. 



It was formerly advised, also, that a purgative be given either 

 just before or immediately succeeding parturition, in order to 



