DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS 107 



The afterbirth should never be allowed to remain 

 over three days in the cow, nor over twenty-four 

 hours in the mare. In the mare, sow, or bitch 

 gently pulling on the membranes, at the same time 

 twisting them easily, will often bring them out 

 without injury to the animal. With the cow it is 

 different. Here the membranes are "buttoned" 

 on in tufts, and the pulling, and especially the 

 twisting, usually makes matters worse and injures 

 the uterus. 



After removing the membranes there always re- 

 mains in the uterus a quantity of fluid, which should 

 be washed out with water a little cooler than the 

 blood of the animal, adding about a teaspoonful of 

 carbolic acid or other good antiseptic to each gallon 

 of water and mixing well. The hands and arms of the 

 operator should be absolutely clean, and during the 

 operation should be kept covered with carbolized 

 oil or carbolized soap and water. In mares, es- 

 pecially, care should be taken not to injure the 

 parts, as inflammation sets in very much quicker 

 than in the cow. Several gallons of the above 

 solution should be injected as soon as the condition 

 is noticed, and a warm bran mash fed to the animal 

 occasionally will help her general health. 



ANEMIA. — A deficiency of red blood corpuscles. 

 The animal is scanty of flesh, hide bound and in a 

 general run-down and debilitated condition. The 

 disease is sometimes called hollow horn. Treat- 

 ment consists of better food and care. The feed 

 should be of a nature such as will enrich the blood 

 and build up the system. Food of a succulent nature, 

 like roots, green grass, or ensilage, will help out. 

 A tonic, made as follows, will be helpful: Two 

 teaspoonfuls of sulphate of iron, i teaspoonful of 

 powdered nux vomica, and 4 tablespoonfuls of 



