REARING OF CALVES FOR THE DAIRY. 



219 



indigestion and colic) the belly is not bloated nor painful on pressure, symp- 

 toms of acute colicky pains are absent, and the bowels do not rumble, nor the 

 bubbles of gas mingle with the feces. The irritant products of the intestinal 

 fermentation may, however, irritate and excoriate the skin around the anus 

 which becomes red, raw and broken out in sores for some distance. Similarly 

 the rectum exposed by reason of the relaxed condition of the anus, or tempor- 

 arily in straining to pass the liquid dejection, is of a more or less deep red, and 

 it may be ulcerated. Fever, with rapid pulse and increased breathing and tem- 

 perature, usually comes on with the very fetid character of the feces, and is 

 more pronounced as the bowels become inflamed, the abdomen sore to the 

 touch and tucked up, and the feces more watery and even mixed with blood. 



"The prevention of these cases is the prevention of constipation and indi- 

 gestion with all their varied causes as above enumerated, the selection of a 

 strong vigorous stock, and above all the combating of contagion, especially in 

 the separation of the sick from the healthy and in the thorough purification 

 and disinfection of the buildings. The cleansing and sweetening of all drains, 



SIR NEWTON OF AAGGIE. 



the removal of dung heaps, and the washing and scraping of floors and walls, 

 followed by a liberal application of chloride of lime (bleaching powder) four 

 ounces to the gallon are indicated. Great care must be exercised in the feed- 

 ing of the cow to have sound and wholesome food and water, so apportioned as 

 to make the milk neither too rich nor too poor, and to her health so that the 

 calf may be saved from the evil consequences of poisonous principles that may 

 be produced in the body of the cow. The calves should be carefully kept apart 

 from all calving cows and their discharges. Similarly each calf must have 

 special attention to see that its nurse gives milk which agrees with it and 

 that this is furnished at suitable times. If allowed to suck, it should either be 

 left with the cow, or it may be fed three times a day. If it cornes hungry 

 twice a day it is more likely to overload and derange the stomach, and if left 

 too long hungry it is tempted to take in unsuitable and unwholesome food, for 

 which its stomach is as yet unprepared. So if fed from a pail it is safer to do 

 so three times daily than twice. The utmost cleanliness of feeding dishes 

 should be secured and the feeder must ever be on the alert to prevent the strong 

 and hungry from drinking the milk of the weaker in addition to their own. 



