DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 



By JAMES LAW, F. R. C. V. S., 

 Professor of Veterinary Science, etc., in Cornell University. 



SUSPENDED BREATHING. 



The moment the circulation through the navel string is stopped the 

 blood of the calf begins to get overcharged with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), 

 and unless breathing is speedily established death promptly follows. 

 Fortunately the desire to breathe, roused by the circulation of the venous 

 blood and the reflex action from the wet and chilling skin, usually at 

 once starts the contractions of the diaphragm and life is insured. Among 

 the obstacles to breathing may be named suffocation before or during 

 birth from compression of the navel cord and the arrest of its circula- 

 tion ; the detachment of the fetal membranes from the womb before 

 the calf is born ; a too free communication between the two auricles of 

 the heart (foramen ovale) by which the uon aerated blood has mixed too 

 abundantly with the aerated and induced debility and profound weak- 

 ness; a condition of ill health and debility of the calf as a result of 

 semi-starvation, overwork, or disease of the cow; fainting in such de- 

 bilitated calf when calving has been difficult and prolonged; the birth 

 of the calf with its head enveloped in the fetal membranes so that it 

 has been unable to breathe; and the presence of tenacious phlegm in 

 the mouth and nose, acting in the same manner. 



Beside the imi>ortance of proper care and feeding of the cow as a 

 preventive measure, attention should be given at once to relieve the 

 new-born calf of its investing membrane and of any mucus that has 

 collected in mouth or nostrils. Wiping out the nose deeply with a 

 finger or feather excites to sneexing, hence to breathing. Hlowing into 

 the nose has a similar effect. Sucking the nostril through a tube applied 

 to it is even more effective. Slapping the chest with the palm of the 

 hand or with a towel dipped in cold water, compression and relaxation 

 alternately of the walls of tho chest, may start the action, and ammonia- 

 or even tobacco smoke blown into the nose may suffice. Kvery second 

 is precious, however, and if possible the lungs should be dilated l>y 

 forcibly introducing air from a bellows or from the human lungs. As 

 the air is blown in through bellows or a tube the upper end of the wind- 

 pipe must be pressed back against the gullet, as otherwise the air will 



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