166 Veterinary Elements. 



the calf a short time after birth — two days — the calf 

 being fed whole milk for four weeks and then gradually 

 changed to skim milk, the feeding being done three or 

 four times daily, the quantity at the start being about 

 two pounds at each feed. 



The treatment of the dam after delivery will determine 

 to a great extent the growth and development of the off- 

 spring, if the dam is limited in quantity of food, or poor 

 quality given, the offspring will be weak, stunted or of 

 slow growth. Keep the dam comfortable and do not 

 annoy with many attentions, if at all chilled, blanket, 

 give warm mashes, laxative food (grass, clover hay, 

 bran and oats) milk, and water with the chill off for a few 

 days. If intending to show foals the dam had better 

 not be worked, if not the dam may be worked for a 

 quarter of a day, later half days until getting back to 

 the usual routine, if worked the foals should be placed 

 in boxes together and fed, entire rest from work should 

 be allowed mares for at least a week after foaling. 



So far the conditions after delivery have been consid- 

 ered as normal, unfortunately for the stockman such a 

 happy termination is not always the case, as such com- 

 plications as retention of the afterbirth, inversion of the 

 womb, bleeding from the womb, garget milk fever, 

 may affect the dam, and scours, navel-ill, constipation, 

 indigestion may affect the offspring. 



Retention of the afterbirth (fetal membranes, placenta). 

 This condition, while rare in the mare and sow, is com- 

 paratively common in cows for reasons already men- 

 tioned; if, however, retention does occur in the mare, 

 skilled assistance should be obtained and the removal of 



