DISEASES OF YOUNG CALVES. 261 



strong solution of carbolic acid. The stump of the cord and the 

 adjacent skin should then be washed with the following solution: 

 lodin, one-half dram ; iodid of potassium, one-half dram ; water, 1 

 quart. When dry it may be covered with a coating of collodion or 

 tar, each containing 1 per cent of iodin. 



Whenever a calf shows any sign of scouring it should be instantly 

 removed to another pen and building, and the vacated one should 

 be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Different attendants should 

 take care of the sound calves and the infected ones, and all utensils, 

 litter, etc., kept scrupulously apart. 



After one week the healthy calves may usually be safely herded 

 together, or they may be safely placed in the cow stable. 



OTHER AILMENTS OF THE CALF. 



Among these may be named several congenital imperfections, such 

 as imperforate anus, vulva, or prepuce, which are to be recognized by 

 the inability to pass dung or urine, in spite of straining, and the 

 formation of swellings in the anus, vulva, or sheath. Each must be 

 carefully incised with the knife, taking care not to injure the muscles 

 which circumscribe the respective openings; also tongue-tie, in 

 which the thin, flaccid, mucous membrane passing from the median 

 line of the lower surface of the tongue binds the latter too closely 

 to the floor of the mouth and renders the tongue unfit for gathering 

 in the food in after life. This must be cut with knife or scissors, 

 so as to give the tongue a reasonable degree of liberty. 



Aphtha, or thrush, is another trouble of the sucking calf , showing 

 itself as a white, curdy elevation on the tongue, lips, cheeks, or gums, 

 and when detached leaving a raw, red, angry surface. It is due to 

 the growth of a vegetable parasite long recognized as the O'idium 

 albicans {Saccharom/yces albicans). It is easily removed by rubbing 

 with powdered borax, but inasmuch as other colonies are liable to 

 start either in the mouth or in the pharynx, gullet, or stomach, it is 

 well to give a dose of one-half dram of hyposulphite of soda in 

 water daj'^ by day for several days. 



Rickets is not a common disease in calves, and comes on, if at all, 

 later than those we have been considering. It consists in softening 

 and friability of the bones from a deficiency of lime salts, and ap- 

 pears to be mainly connected with an inherited weakness of consti- 

 tution, unsuitable feeding, cold, close, damp buildings, microbian 

 infection, and other conditions inimical to health. The prevention 

 and treatment of rickets consists essentially in the improvement of 

 the digestion and general health ; hence sunshine, open air, exercise, 

 nourishing food, and tonics are indicated. (See p. 265.) 



