226 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



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 salts (1 to 2 pounds) should be given twelve 

 to twenty-four hours before calving is due, so that it may operate at 

 or just before that act. In case calving has occurred unexpectedly 

 in the heavy milker, lose no time in giving the piirgative 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 twelve or twenty-four hours after calving. 

 Breeders on the island of Jersey have found that this alone has almost 

 abolished the mortality from milk fever. If Epsom salts is not at 

 hand use saltpeter (1 ounce) for several days. Daily exercise is also of 

 importance, and, excepting in midsummer, when the heat of the sun 

 may be injurious, the value of open air is unquestionable. Even in 

 summer an open shed or shady grove is incomparably better than a 

 close, stuffy stall. A rich pasture (clover especially), in late May, 

 June, or July, when at its best, is to be carefully avoided. Better 

 keep the cow indoors on dry straw with plenty of salt and water than 

 to have access to such pastures. 



Old treatment. — If the cow is seen before she goes down, the 

 abstraction of blood is demanded, and may usually be carried to the 

 extent of 4 or even 6 quarts. The fullness and force of the pulse 

 must determine the amount; if it is weak and rapid or scarcely per- 

 ceptible the vein must be instantly closed, and it may even be neces- 

 sary to give ammoniacal stimulants. If the cow is lying down, 

 unable to rise, and, above all, if no winking is caused by touching the 

 eyeball, bleeding must be done, if at all, with great precaution. A 

 pint or a quart may be all that can be safely taken, and in case the 

 pulse has been small and weak no more should be drawn unless the 

 pulse beat strengthens. The fatal collapse already threatening is 

 often precipitated by unguarded bleeding. The jugular vein may be 

 opened as coming directly from the brain, and as the object is to 

 lessen the density of the blood and the tension in the blood vessels 

 without shock, it is not so essential to draw it in a full stream as in 

 other cases of bloodletting. As the blood is withdrawn the place is 

 speedily taken by liquids (mainly water), absorbed from all available 

 parts of the body, and thus the blood is helpfully diluted. 



It is a good practice to give a dose of purgative medicine (Epsom 

 salts 2 pounds, carbonate of ammonia one-half ounce, nux vomica one- 

 half dram). If it is absorbed it will find its way to the bowels and 

 start active secretion, thereby relieving the plethora; if it is not 

 absorbed it will do no harm. Enemas of warm water and soap or oil 

 may be beneficially employed. 



