230 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



subject to it than low producers, and fat cows are more sub- 

 ject to it than thin cows. It nearly always occurs within two 

 days after calving, and seems to be caused by an overfed 

 condition of the animal. Plenty of water and salt and a 

 minimum quantity of concentrated feed for several days 

 before and after calving will help to prevent this disease. 



The disease may be recognized by a staggering gait 

 and lack of control of the hind legs. As the disease pro- 

 gresses the cow goes down in a stupor, lying in a normal 

 position, except that her head is usually turned to her flank. 

 Later, paralysis may become general and then the cow lies 

 on her side. 



The treatment consists of inflating each quarter of the 

 udder with air filtered through a liquid or cotton. Almost 

 any sort of air pump will serve to force the air into the 

 udder. Satisfactory milk-fever outfits are on the market, 

 or can be made up at little expense, using a bicycle pump, 

 rubber tubing, a piece of large glass tubing in which to 

 place the cotton, and a milk tube. Care must be exercised 

 to have the milk tube sterile and the ends of the teats should 

 be cleansed with a disinfecting solution. After inflation 

 the teats should be tied with tape in order to prevent escape 

 of the air. Ordinarily one inflation is sufficient, but in case 

 the cow shows nc improvement in two hours the inflation 

 should be repeated. Every dairyman should keep a milk- 

 fever outfit on hand for quick use. 



Garget 



"Garget,'^ ''mastitis," and "mammitis" are terms which 

 denote inflammation of the udder. One or more quarters 

 may become swollen, hard, hot, and tender. The milk is 

 reduced in quantity and may be of watery consistency or 

 contain clots or strings of curd. In severe cases the contents 

 of the udder may become foulsmelling. Cows with large 

 udders are more susceptible than those with small udders. 

 Some of the conditions which seem to cause or at least 

 predispose the animal to garget are (1) exposure to drafts 

 or cold weather, (2) bruises of the udder, (3) injuries to 

 the teats, (4) the use of a milk tube, and (5) excessive feed- 



