228 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



It may often be checked by the use of carbonate of ammonia; or 

 hyposulphite of soda (one-half ounce) may be substituted, or oil of 

 turpentine (1 ounce). In obstinate cases the paunch should be punc- 

 tured in the upper part of the left flank by a trocar and canula 

 (PI. Ill, figs. 5a and 55) and the latter left in place until it is no 

 longer needed. 



Another most important precaution is to draw off the urine from 

 the bladder several times a day, as a full bladder greatly aggravates 

 the case. 



A weak induction current of electricity may be sent through the 

 brain for ten minutes at a time in cases of extreme insensibility, and 

 through the affected limb in case of remaining paralysis. 



In the torpid or noncongestive form of the disease the treatment is 

 the same as regards purgatives, stimulants, nux vomica, antiseptics 

 for bloating, attention to the bladder and udder, counterirritants to 

 spine or limbs, and even bleeding. The cold, wet sheets and even 

 the ice to the head may often be dispensed with. 



One other precaution may be named applicable to all cases, but 

 especially so to the more distinctly congestive ones. This is to keep 

 the head above the level of the body and prevent injury from the 

 striking of it on the ground or other hard body. The cow is to be 

 packed up with bundles or bags of straw against the shoulders and 

 hips, so as to let her rest on her breast and belly with her limbs 

 under her. Then the head and neck are to be similarly supported, 

 so as to keep them elevated and give them a soft, yielding cushion if 

 dashed from side to side. It may be even desirable to support the 

 head by a rope round the horns, or a halter, the end of which is 

 passed over a beam above. 



Neiv treatment.— -Treatment of milk fever has been completely revo- 

 lutionized, with the result that a former mortality of 50 to 70 per cent 

 has been practically abolished. Formerly the most vigorous treat- 

 ment was practiced by bleeding, purging, the increase of peristalsis 

 by eserin or pilocarpin, enemas, cold to the head, counterirritants, 

 aconite, tartar emetic, sponging, wet-sheet packing, etc. The gross 

 mortality, however, was not materially reduced, and nearly all that 

 were attacked within the first two days after calving perished. 



The first step in the modern treatment was made in 1897, when 

 J. Schmidt published his successful treatment by the injection of the 

 teats and milk ducts with a solution of iodid of potassium (1| drains 

 to 1 quart of water). This reduced the mortality to 17 per cent. 

 Others followed this lead by the injection of other antiseptics (lysol, 

 creolin, creosol, chinosol, common salt, etherized air, oxygen). 

 These succeeded as well as the iodid solution. With the injection 

 of gases, however, a fuller distention of the udder was usually 

 secured, and virtually every case recovered. This suggested the full 

 distention of the udder with common atmospheric air filtered and 



