312 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



duced, and gently p7^ess the after-birth at the attachments, 

 called cotyledons: this must not be accompanied with 

 much pulling, pressure with the finger and thumb will 

 be all that is wanted. This operation may be followed 

 by giving the cow a little warm ale or molasses water, 

 with half an ounce of powdered ergot of rye, and in half 

 an hour, half an ounce more may be given. This will 

 cause contraction of the womb, and expulsion of the pla- 

 centa. When decomposition or putrefaction of the after- 

 birth has taken place, which is known by the black color, 

 the womb should be well washed out with a weak 

 solution of chloride of lime, and administer by the mouth 

 one ounce, three times in the day, sulphite of soda for a 

 week, to prevent, if possible, and neutralize any of the 

 poison of putrefaction, that may have been absorbed into 

 the blood. Give the cow good and nutritious feed to 

 support her strength. 



Symptoms of Blood Poisoning. — The absorption of pu- 

 trid matter into the blood is immediately followed by 

 fever, of a low type, called typhoid, and if not speedily 

 checked will be succeeded by typhus, from which the 

 animal cannot recover. 



Treatment — Give the sulphite of soda in the manner 

 spoken of above, combined with two drachms of the sul- 

 phate of iron, and one ounce each of powdered ginger 

 and foenugreek three times in the day, till the beast is 

 bright, lively, and free from stupidity. 



Inversion of the bladder will be found treated of under 

 Bladder Diseases. 



Disease. — Inversion of, or falling down of the calf 

 bed, will be treated of under its proper or alphabetical 

 head, — Falling of the Womb. 



