268 THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 



arrow-root, with a little milk only, and some sugar, may be 

 given for a few days, the proportion of the milk being 

 gradually increased; should the bowels be confined, two 

 ounces of olive oil will ac^sufficiently. 



When the calf begins to change its rnilk diet for one of 

 vegetable substances, it is liable to distention of the yet feeble 

 rumen with crude materials, or to obstruction of the many- 

 plus, which has not yet acquired sufficient power to act upon 

 hard fibres. This is often the case, when the calf is allowed 

 to feed too plentifully on hay. Dulness, fever, constipation 

 of the bowels, and swelling of the abdomen, indicate the 

 nature of the disorder, and unless prompt measures be re- 

 sorted to, the animal will die. Aperients and the use of the 

 stomach-pump will be required, the rumen must be unloaded, 

 and the manyplus stimulated to action. 



Calves are subject to diarrhoea, or scouring, from various 

 causes ; the milk may disagree with the stomach and disorder 

 it, change of diet may produce it, or whatever has been taken 

 which irritates the alimentary canal. If not severe, diarrhoea 

 need not be regarded with apprehension ; it is an effort of 

 nature to get rid of the irritating matters, and only requires 

 to be checked when it continues too long, or the animal 

 begins to droop. Occasionally, diarrhoea merges into dysen- 

 tery, with mucous and bloody purging. In the treatment of 

 diarrhoea, a mild purgative, as two ounces of castor oil, may 

 first be given, or three ounces of Epsom salts, two drachms 

 of soda, and half a drachm of ginger, in half a pint of thin 

 gruel. This will remove the cause of disturbance. After- 

 wards, four tablespoonfuls of the following mixture may be 

 given morning and night : Powdered chalk, one ounce ; 

 powdered catechu, four drachms ; powdered ginger, two 

 drachms ; powdered opium, half a drachm ; mucilage of gum 

 arabic, two ounces; peppermint- water, six ounces. This 

 mixture requires to be shaken up well each time it is given. 

 Gruel, made of fine wheat flour, arrow-root, or bean mashes 

 with a little pea-flour will be useful ; no green or ascescent 

 food should be allowed. 



We have described the hoove in cattle, and that affection 

 of the bronchial tubes (see " Bronchitis ") in which they are 

 crowded by innumerable parasitic worms. To this disease 

 calves are extremely subject, and it often produces death. 

 There is a hard husky cough, a staring coat, a heaving of the 

 flanks, great debility and emaciation. After death the bron- 



