228 DISEASES OF CATTLE, 



dullness, drowsiness, suspension of rumination and appetite, and a 

 general indifference to surrounding objects. Soon the cow lies down, 

 or falls and is unable to rise, but for one or two days she may rest on 

 the breastbone and hold the head in the flank without showing any 

 disorderly movements. Meanwhile there is not only loss of muscular 

 power and inability to stand, but also considerable dullness of sensa- 

 tion, pricking the skin producing no quick response, and even touch- 

 ing the edge of the eyelids causing no very prompt winking. Unless 

 she gets relief, however, the case develops all the advanced symptoms 

 of the more violent form, and the animal perishes. 



In advanced and fatal cases of either form the insensibility becomes 

 complete; no irritation of skin or eye meets any response; the eye 

 becomes more dull and glassy ; the head rests on the ground or other 

 object ; unless prevented the cow lies stretched fully on her side ; the 

 pulse is small, rapid, and finally imperceptible ; the breathing is slow, 

 deep, stertorous,- and the expirations accompanied with puffing is slow, 

 the cheeks, and death comes quietly or with accompanying struggles. 



Prevention. — For such fatal disease prevention is of far more con- 

 sequence than treatment. Among the most efficient preventives 

 may be named a spare diet (amounting to actual starvation in very 

 plethoric, heavy-milking cows) for a week before calving and at least 

 four days after. A free access to salt and water is most important, 

 as the salt favors drinking and the water serves to dilute the rich 

 and dense blood. Iced water, however, is undesirable, as a chill may 

 favor the onset of fever. A dose of Epsom salt (1 to 2 pounds) 

 should be given 12 to 24 hours before calving is due, so that it may 

 operate at or just before that act. In case calving has occurred unex- 

 pectedly in the heavy milker, no time should be lost in giving the 

 purgative thereafter. A most important precaution in the fleshy, 

 plethoric cow, or in one that has been attacked at a previous calving, 

 is to avoid drawing any milk from the bag for 12 or 24 hours after 

 calving. Breeders on the island of Jersey have found that this 

 alone has almost abolished the mortality from milk fever. If Epsom 

 salt is not at hand, saltpeter (1 ounce) should be used for several 

 days. Daily exercise is also of importance, and, excepting in mid- 

 summer, when the heat of the sun may be injurious, the value of 

 open air is unquestionable. Even in summer an open shed or shady 

 grove is incomparably better than a close, stuffy stall. A rich pas- 

 ture (clover especially), in May, June, or July, when at its best, is 

 to be carefully avoided. It is better to keep the cow indoors on dry 

 straw with plenty of salt and water than to have access to such 

 pastures. 



Treatment. — Treatment of milk fever has been completely revolu- 

 tionized, with the result that a former mortality of 50 to 70 per cent 

 has been practically abolished. Formerly the most vigorous treat- 



