CHAPTER 7 



COMMON AILMENTS OF CATTLE 

 C. H. ECKLES 



THE author makes no attempt at giving directions for 

 the treatment of such diseases and accidents as call for the 

 services of the competent veterinarian. The farmer should 

 depend largely upon the qualified veterinarian as his adviser 

 in matters concerning the health of his animals, but there 

 are certain common troubles that every manager of dairy 

 cows should know how to handle. The discussion which 

 follows aims to present a few of the facts that every dairy- 

 man should know. The discussions are in the nature of 

 advice for the owner of dairy stock and are not expected to 

 take the place of expert advice by the veterinarian. 



NORMAL CONDITIONS 



136. The Pulse. The heart of the cow normally beats 

 50 to 60 times per minute. It is more rapid in young animals 

 than in old, and is increased by excitement or exercise. The 

 most convenient way to take the pulse of a cow is to stand 

 on her left side and reach over the neck and feel the pulse 

 on the lower side of the right jaw. A quick, bounding pulse 

 indicates inflammation at some point in the body. The 

 trained veterinarian becomes very skillful in diagnosing dis- 

 ease by the feeling of the pulse. 



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