CONDITIONS FOLLOWING PARTURITION. 1 19 



Causes. — The predisposing causes may be enumer- 

 ated as follows: breed or individual predisposition, 

 high temperature, confinement, constipation, electrical 

 disturbances, development of the lacteal function (age), 

 ^nd plethoric condition. 



As to the actual, or exciting cause or causes, although 

 some authorities believe that the disease is chiefly due 

 to infection, opinions vary as much as to its etiology as 

 they do with regard to its pathology. 



The post-mortem appearances are varied in character. 

 The digestive organs are usually normal. The rumen 

 generally distended with gas. Gall-bladder sometimes 

 much distended. Lungs normal, or slightly emphyse- 

 matous ; at other times congested, or in various stages 

 of pneumonia from the inhalation of foreign matters. 

 The nervous system has not exhibited any uniform or 

 satisfactory lesions. 



Treatment. — Knowing the value of prophylactic 

 measures, too much emphasis cannot be placed upon 

 the necessity for strict hygiene ' of the pregnant Cow, 

 especially during the later months, and more particularly 

 in those animals whose breed, age, and lacteal develop- 

 ment predisposes to this disease. The food should 

 be easy of digestion, and sparing in amount. The 

 animal should, if possible, be allowed exercise, and her 

 condition should be made as natural and comfortable 

 as circumstances will permit. Some recommend 

 . bleeding, a few days prior to parturition, as absolutely 

 ■effective ; while others advise a saline purgative. A 

 number of other agents are suggested as useful 

 preventives. 



