i i DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



nifut to those that remain. In this, as in other delicate manipulations, 

 the stockowner will consult his own interest by employing an accom- 

 plished veterinarian, and avoiding such as have not had the privileges 

 of a thorough professional education. In addition to the above the 

 removal of all manure and contaminated litter and the sprinkling of 

 the surface with the sulphate of the copper solution is called for. Drains 

 should no less be thoroughly rinsed and disinfected. Milking stools 

 and other implements may be treated in the same way, or with carbolic 

 acid or boiling water. Great care should be taken to guard against 

 bull or cows from an aborting herd or district; streams even may be 

 suspected if there is an aborting herd near by and higher up on that 

 stream. Cows sent to bull from an aborting herd are to be denied, and 

 workmen that have attended on such a herd should be made to wash 

 and disinfect their clothes and persons. 



SYMPTOMS OF CALVING. 



Iii the cow the premonitions of calving are the enlargement of the 

 udder, which becomes firm and resistant to the touch, with more or 

 less swelling in front, and yields a serous milky fluid ; the enlargement 

 and swelling of the vulva, which discharges an abundant stringy mucus 5 

 the drooping of the belly, and the falling in of the muscles at each 

 side of the root of the tail, so as to leave deep hollows. When this last 

 symptom is seen calving may be counted on in twenty-four hours or in 

 two or three days. When the act is imminent, the cow becomes uneasy, 

 moves restlessly, leaves oif eating, in the field leaves the herd, lies down 

 and rises again as if in pain, shifts upon her hind feet, moves the tail, 

 and may bellow or moan. When labor pains come on the back is 

 arched, the croup drooped, the belly is drawn up, and straining is more 

 or less violent and continuous. Meanwhile blood may have appeared 

 on the vulva and tail, and soon the clear water-bags protrude between 

 the lips of the vulva. They increase rapidly, hanging down toward 

 the hocks, and the fore or hind feet can be detected within them. With 

 the rupture of the bags and escape of the w T aters the womb contracts 

 on the solid angular body of the fetus, and is at once stimulated to 

 more violent contractions, so that the work proceeds with redoubled 

 energy to the complete expulsion. This is the reason why it is wrong 

 to rupture the water-bags if the presentation is normal, as they furnish 

 a soft uniform pressure for the preliminary dilatation of the mouth of 

 the womb and passages, in anticipation of the severe strain put upon 

 them as the solid body of the calf passes. 



The cow often calves standing, in which case the navel-string is 

 broken as the calf falls to the ground. If, however, she is recumbent 

 this cord is torn through as she rises up. The after pains come on three 

 or four hours later and expel the membranes, and these should never 

 be left longer than twenty-four hours. 



