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VETERINARY STUDIES 



fourth calf, is the one most subject to this disease. A young 

 heifer, an old cow, or a cow in thin flesh and underfed during 

 pregnancy, is not likely to have this disease. 



Precipitating causes include delivery, sudden increase of gland 

 activity in the udder, disturbance of circulation, anxiety and 

 exposure to cold and damp. 



Symptoms. — These are known as : early or warning, and 

 diagnostic, or positive. 



Fig. 80. — Parturient Paralysis. (M. H. B.) 

 Later stage. Head held unsteadily. 



Early symptoms. — Uneasiness, sudden constipation, eyes either 

 stupid or wild, tail switching uneasily, and checked milk flow 

 are early symptoms of milk fever. The gait is peculiar, show- 

 ing imperfect control of the posterior limbs. Such symptoms, if 

 occurring during the first five days after calving, or within two 

 days before should warn of danger. 



Diagnostic symptoms. — The patient goes down, is more or less 

 unconscious and lies in a peculiar position, with her head in the 

 flank ; she loses sensation and power of voluntary motion, the 

 sensory and motor nerves become paralyzed ; her pupils dilate ; 

 she is unable to swallow; her pulse, at first bounding and full, 

 is later depressed; her temperature is usually normal, or even 

 sub-normal; respirations are slow. In typical cases, the symp- 



