458 THE dairyman's manual. 



complication, and generally disappears by th©- slow decom- 

 position and discharge or absorption of the membranes. 

 But it is disagreeable and at times injurious to the cows, 

 because of the absorption of the fetid matter, and the 

 effect of this upon the milk, as well as upon the health 

 of the cow. The cause of this defect is supposed to be 

 the earliness of the calving and the immaturity of the 

 preparatory condition of the uterus. When the birth is 

 a few days after the average time there is rarely any 

 trouble of this kind. It has also been found that when 

 a cow retains the membranes with the first calf, it is apt 

 to do so always afterwards. The use of moldy fodder is 

 believed to promote this retention, and there are many 

 other popular opinions in this regard which have no foun- 

 dation in fact. 



The treatment proper under the special circumstances 

 varies with the nature of the case. If there are no com- 

 plications and the cow performs her functions satisfac- 

 torily, the membranes may be left for a week or ten days 

 until they part naturally; but if fever or other disturb- 

 ance of the system occurs, and the animal is suffering, 

 then assistance is called for. This may be afforded by 

 giving one of the following infusions: 



4 ounces of laurel berries, 



2 " " anise seed, 



4 *' " bicarbonate of soda, 



steeped in four quarts of water and given in two doses, 

 with twelve hours between. If necessary it Is repeated, 

 but usually it is effective within twenty-four hours. Or, 



1 ounce of snvin leaves, 



i " *' carbonate of potassa, 



in one pint of water. The decoction is strained and 

 given lukewarm; the dose is repeated every six hours. Or, 



8 ounces of powdered savin, 

 6 " " molasses, 

 4 " *' powdered cumin, 

 2i " " essence of rue, 

 2i " " " " savin, 



2 quarts of alcohol. 



