232 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



In the torpid form of the disease there is much less indication of 

 fever or violence. There may be no special heat about the horns, 

 ears, or forehead, nor any marked redness or congestion of the eyes 

 or nose, nor engorgement of the veins of the head. The attack comes 

 on more slowly, with apparent weakness of the hind limbs, dullness, 

 drowsiness, suspension of rumination and appetite, and a general 

 inditference to surrounding objects. Soon the cow lies clown, 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 dis- 

 orderly 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 

 touching 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 fonn, 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 

 become's 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 by puffing out of 

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



For such fatal disease frevention is of far more consequence 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 unexpeetedly 

 in the heavy milker, lose no time 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 use saltpeter (1 ounce) for several days. Daily exer- 

 cise is also of importance, and, excepting in midsummer, when the 

 heat of the sun may be injurious, the value of open air is unques- 

 tionable. Even in summer an open shed or shady grove is incompar- 

 ably better than a close, stuffy stall. A rich pasture (clover espe- 

 cially), in late May, June, or July, when at its best, is to be carefully 



