PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT „ e 



generally does, from infection of the umbilical cord (75 to 90 per 

 cent, mortality). Heat, tenderness and swelling suddenly appear in 

 certain joints — within a few weeks of birth — accompanied by fever, 

 thirst and loss of appetite. Abscess formation in the joints and 

 pyemia, endocarditis, pneumonia, pleurisy and enteritis often ensue. 



Treatment: — The treatment is chiefly prophylactic. This con- 

 sists in cleanliness as to stable — clean bedding and removal of urine 

 and manure— but particularly as to the umbilical cord. This should 

 be ligated with boiled string about two inches from the belly. The 

 stump should be trimmed with boiled scissors, washed with 2 per 

 cent, lysol, or other antiseptic solution, covered with absorbent 

 cotton and oil silk held in place by a bandage about the body. 

 The stump will separate in five days or more, and 10 per cent, boric 

 ointment may be kept upon the umbilicus while it is raw. In place 

 of such elaborate care, thorough washing of the umbilical cord and 

 cicatrix daily, the use of boric ointment, or even of tar, will usually 

 suffice. In the treatment of the disease itself, attention must still 

 be directed toward cleansing of the navel with antiseptic solutions 

 and application of antiseptic ointments or powders. Aspiration of 

 pus from the joints and supporting treatment of milk, alcohol, eggs, 

 etc., are also indicated. In some cases the joints do not suppurate 

 and the animal improves. In such cases the treatment recom- 

 mended for acute articular rheumatism may be undertaken, but it is 

 rarely economically advisable, as recovery is apt to be very slow and 

 incomplete. 



Parturient Septic Arthritis of Cows. — This follows, 

 within a few weeks or months, sepsis due to abortion or parturition. 

 Enlargement and tenderness of one or more of the joints — es- 

 pecially the stifle — with difficulty in rising and lameness, occur. A 

 chronic deformity and disability of the joint ensues, with anchylosis 

 and wasting of the muscles. In the beginning, treatment as advised 

 for acute articular rheumatism should be employed. Aseptic as- 

 piration of the joints followed by firing and blistering are indicated 



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