COMMON AILMENTS OF COWS AND CALVES, AND TREATMENT. 183 



have been affected by it, of which 1,152 (97 per cent.) died. In 1884, in 

 the same districts, its mortality was 55 per cent. In general it is developed 

 from the first to the third day following birth; after the fourth day it is much 

 less frequent; young animals are often affected by it before having sucked; 

 milk, therefore, has nothing to do with the development of the disease. 

 Its exciting cause is evidently an infectious element yet unknown, which 

 is contained in the excrements and is carried by them. 



The symptoms are almost similar in all species. The calf refuses to 

 partake of food, it shows symptoms of -restlessness, bellows and ejects, by 

 violent efforts, very soft diarrheic excrements which soon become liquid, 

 whitish (mucous diarrhea), or mixed with clots of curdled milk (white 

 dysentery) ; they are very often bloody ; later, we notice continued and 

 involuntary evacuations. The patients, which are exhausted remain con- 

 stantly recumbent; at intervals they are subject to convulsions; the expired 

 air has a fetid odor. The animals often die within twenty-four hours, 

 sometimes within three days. In many cases all the calves of one stable 

 will perish. Those which survive remain weak and sickly for a long 

 time. 



TREATMENT. The prophylaxis consists in separation of the healthy 

 from the sick animals, and disinfection of the premises as well as the genital 

 canals of the females before and after parturition. The same disinfecting 

 agents may be employed as are recommended for Epizootic. 



ABORTION. When dysentery of the calves exists in an enzootic state 

 in a stable it is proper to place the cows with calves in an isolated and well- 

 kept stable one or two months before parturition. Experience has taught 

 that these means are much more efficient than medical treatment. 



The first indication of treatment is the administration of a, light laxa- 

 tive (one or two table spoonfuls of castor-oil) ; then give each calf 



Tincture of Opium, drams 2 



Tannin and 



Salicylic acid of each, drams 1 



Mix. 

 Give in a pint of linseed tea every three hours until relieved. 



INFECTIOUS ABORTION. OF THE COW. 

 EPIZOOTIC ABORTION. 



There is scarcely a disease among dairy cows which brings about so 

 great a loss to the owner as does epizootic abortion. 



So common is this trouble in the dairy districts of this country that 

 the practicing veterinarian in these districts is almost daily confronted with 

 these questions: 



What can I do for my cows, they are aborting one after another, and 

 the production of milk from my herd is rapidly decreasing. The cows do 



