fourteen Cows calved before the two hundi-ed and eigplity-fonrth day, and three hundred and ten 

 after the two hundred and eighty-eighth day. 



Miscarriage occurs oftener in the Cow than in all other domestic animals put together. Per- 

 haps it is one of the greatest annoyances the proprietor of Cows has to encounter ; and unfor- 

 tunately, for aught we see to the contrary, it is likely so to continue ; for, in epile of the improved 

 state of veterinary medicine, and the researches of skillful veterinary surgeons, both at home and 

 abroad, miscarriage still continues as frequent and annoying aa ever. The causes are fi'equently 

 involved in obscurity ; but it may be mentioned that an extremely hot and foul cow-house, a severe 

 blow, violent exertion, starvation, plethora, an overloaded stomach, internal inflammations, con- 

 stipated bowels, bad food or water, improper exposure and the like, will now and then produce 

 miscarnage. Anything whatever, indeed, that seriously affects the health of the animal in general, 

 or the state of the reproductive organs in particular, may do so. But miscarriage occurs again and 

 again when no such causes as those enumerated can be traced. The disease, if such it may be called 

 — as I think it may — is even said to he infectious. No sooner does it show itself in one animal tlian 

 it is seen in another, and another, till it has spread over the most part of the cow-house. Sope say 

 this is to be attributed to the odor arising from the substances evacuated. Possibly it may he bo ; 

 there is nothing unreasonable in the supposition; for although we cannot perceive the smell, nor 

 account for its peculiar influence, it is still quite within possibility that such an odor does exist, 

 having the power attributed to it. There con be no great harm, however, in acting as if we were 

 assured that the mischief has its origin in th6 source so commonly supposed, provided we do not 

 shut our eyes to any other which accident or investigation may reveal. In the meantime, the num- 

 ber of miscarriages may be diminished by carefully avoiding all those causes which are known to 

 be capable of producing it. Let the Cows be regularly fed ; let their food be good and in proper 

 quantities ; let them have water as often as they will take it ; avoid sudden exposure to cold or 

 heat; and, above all, let the cow-house he well ventilated. Prohibit all manner" of rough usage 

 on the part of those who look after the Cows, whether they he pregnant or not. If any of them 

 accumulate flesh too rapidly, gradually reduce their allowance ; and, on the other hand, if any be- 

 come emaciated, discover the cause, and remedy it, always by slow degrees. Sudden changes in 

 the matter or mode of feeding should also be avoided. The same sort of diet does not agree 

 equally well with all the Cows ; and this, in general, is indicated by undue relaxation or constipa- 

 tion of the bowels : this should he watched, and removed at once. Attention to these and many 

 other minor circumstances will amply repay the proprietor for the little additional trouble. 



" When the fanner perceives symptoms of miscarriage, he should," says Professor Yoaatt, in 

 his excellent work on Cattle, "remove the Cow from the pasture to a comfortable cow- 

 house or shed. If the discharge is glaring, but not ofifensive, he may hope that the calf is not 

 dead — he will be assured of this by the motion of the foetus, and tlieii it is impossible tliat the mis- 

 carriage may yet he avoided. He should hasten to bleed her, ai^d that copiously, in proportion to 

 her age, size, condition, and the state of excitement in which he may find her ; and he should give 

 a dose of physic immediately after the bleeding (this may be 1 lb. of Epsom salts in a quart of 

 warm water). The physic beginning to operate, he should administer half a drachm of opium, 

 and half an ounce of sweet spirits of nitre ; unless she is in a state of great debility, he should 

 avoid, above all things, the comfortable drink which some persons recommend ; be should alkiw 

 nothing but gruel, and keep his patient as quiet as he can. By these means he may occasionally 

 allay the general or local irritation that precedes or causes the miscarriage, and the Cow may yet 

 go her full time." 



WOMB INFLAMMATION.— This affection of the womb occurs after calving 



or bulling. The symptoms are, great irritation and pain. Bleed and give the following drench : 

 Epsom salts, 1 pound ; Powdered carraway seeds, 2 ounces ; Warm gruel, 3 pmts. 

 Bathe the womb with Goulard water, or vinegar and water in equal parts. 



CALVING TABLE. 



