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, 

 lu severe cases the cow is totally unconscious, and 

 iu most cases is only partially conscious. Often the^e 

 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 



