150 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF MILK HYGIENE 
3. Examination for Symptoms of Disease.—'This exami- 
nation consists of two parts: (a) General examination 
and (b) special examination. 
(a) GENERAL EXAMINATION 
The general examination is made first, with the cow 
in the stall. Taking a position in the rear and slightly 
to one side, the inspector proceeds with the examination 
in the following order: 
1. Attitude—Note the general appearance, the car- 
riage of the head, position of the ears (erect or hanging), 
standing position, behavior (quiet or restless). 
Dullness or depression from fever, also weakness and pain 
may be discovered in this way. Very sick animals and those 
with a high fever usually hold the head low, with the ears 
drooping. In severe vaginitis and metritis, and sometimes in 
constipation and colic, cows stand with the back arched, head 
lowered, tail elevated, and legs spread apart. Sometimes cows 
affected with vaginitis stand a long time in the attitude of 
urination. An arched back and erect hair, in association with 
shivering and a cold skin are symptoms of fever, although they 
are not constant. In dyspnea and sore throat the head is 
extended. Pain causes restlessness; soreness of the extremities 
is indicated by resting the affected limb, or, when more than one 
limb is affected, by continually shifting the body weight from 
one leg to another. Cows often lie down during the day, espe- 
cially after eating, and do not rise on the approach of man; 
therefore, a recumbent position is of less significance with these 
animals than in the case of the horse. A disposition to lie down 
continually may be due to articular rheumatism or to osteo- 
malacia. Inability to rise is caused by paralysis (spinal frac- 
tures), milk fever, and ante and postpartum paralysis. Some- 
times refusal to rise is due to stubbornness. 
2. Skin and Hair.—Observe the condition of the skin 
and hair and look for swellings, enlargements and irregu- 
larities of form. 
