472 THE ^AIRVMAX'S MA.XUAL. 



in a stream until all is drawn off. This method, or any 

 other, is only temjDorary, and to be used only in the 

 special emergency, because of the danger of injuring 

 the lining membranes of the teats and producing inflam- 

 mation of the udder. 



Self-sucking is the worst Adce which a cow can con- 

 tract. It totally destroys her usefulness and is a constant 

 source of loss and disappointment. It is contracted by 

 old cows as well as young ones, and cases occur in which 

 ten or twelve-year old animals begin to practice the vice. 

 How it is learned seems to be unknown, but it is more 

 frequent than might be suspected. The remedies pro- 

 posed have been numerous, but all fail excepting that of 

 slitting the tongue, by which the act of suction is made 

 impossible. It may seem that this is a cruel and unusual 

 punishment, but it it not so severe an operation as cas- 

 tration, and we do not hesitate at that to increase the 

 value of our male animals. Even a kind owner need 

 not hesitate to recommend the operation of slitting 

 the tongue when the cow is a valuable one, the division 

 being made two inches in length. The operation should 

 be performed when the cow is dry, and the wound heals 

 very soon. It is necessary to give soft food or slop until 

 the healing is well advanced. 



Eecently, having been consulted by the owner of some 

 valuable cows which had contracted this vice, the author 

 designed the following harness' which wholly prevented 

 the trouble. A surcingle was buckled around the cow 

 behind the forelegs, and a halter was made for the head. 

 Both of these were provided with rings to which a stiff 

 rod of tough wood was fastened by snap-hooks at the 

 ends; the rod being passed between the forelegs. This 

 necessarily prevents the cow from bringing her head into 

 the position required to reach the teats. 



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