152 



DAIRY FARMING 



ble, this is all the more important. The following instru- 

 ments and medicines are most often needed, and it is 

 advisable to have them on hand : 



Milk fever outfit, if high-producing cows are kept 



2 milk tubes of different sizes 



3 teat plugs of different sizes 



Trocar, if there is much trouble from bloating 

 Syringe 



Drenching bottle 

 Clinical thermometer 



A liberal amount of carbolic acid or some other good dis- 

 infectant should always be on hand, as frequent use will be 

 found for it. Crude carbolic acid can be used in a 2 per cent 

 solution, when applied to the animal's body, or in a 5 per 

 cent solution for disinfecting other objects, such 

 as the floor of the barn, or instruments. 



An abundant supply of Epsom salts should 

 also be provided, as occasion for using it will 

 come often. In most herds entirely too little 

 use is made of this important medicine. A 

 dose of 1 to 1 1 pounds of salts for the grown 

 animal should be the first treatment in nearly 

 all cases of sickness. In every case where an 

 animal shows loss of appetite or sickness the 

 cause of which is not known, a physic should 

 be given at once and the feed reduced. A 

 second dose after three or four days is often beneficial. If 

 the appetite of the animal has returned, the ration can again 

 be increased to the normal. 



141. Drenching a Cow. The common method of admin- 

 istering medicine to a cow is to mix with water and give from 

 a bottle. This is known as a " drench." When giving a 



FIG. 44. 

 Milking tubes, 

 used when 

 teats are in- 

 jured or sore. 



