Milk Fever 213 
or partially unconscious, with the disease when first 
noticed. If the attack is gradual, the first symptom 
is uneasiness,—the cow is dull, the appetite gone, and 
the milk secretion lessened or stopped. If the cow 
is forced to walk there is a peculiar paddling gait, 
and a vacant stare from the eyes. These symptoms 
increase until the cow, unable to stand, falls or lies 
down. The nose is usually turned toward the flank. 
In severe cases the cow is totally unconscious, and 
in most cases is only partially conscious. Often there 
is a slight moan with the breathing, due to the stupor. 
There may be some excitement in the early stages of 
the disease. 
The cow should be made as comfortable as possible 
and kept propped up on her brisket, with the head 
elevated. If she can swallow, a small dose of three- 
fourths of a pound of Epsom salts should be given as 
a drench. Great care must be taken to prevent strang- 
ling, as she is often unable to swallow properly, and 
medicine getting into the lungs is liable to kill her or to 
set up pneumonia that will prove fatal. The most satis- 
factory treatment is to inflate the udder with air. This 
is easily done by connecting a milking tube to a small 
rubber tube attached to a small bicycle pump. The 
rubber tube should be plugged inside with some absorb- 
ent cotton, to filter the air so no dust or germs will 
enter the udder. As soon as possible after the disease 
is noticed, the cow’s udder should be thoroughly emptied 
by stripping out all milk. The milking tube, having 
been boiled to kill all germs, should be greased with 
some clean vaseline and inserted in the milk duct of the 
