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AGRICULTURAL AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



Parturient Apoplexy. 



Parturient apoplexy, also called milk-fever, dropping after 

 calving, &c, is a disease of cows, more especially of milking 

 breeds ; and chiefly occurs at the time when they have attained 

 their fullest milking capacity. It has been recognised for genera- 

 tions and has been a fruitful cause of loss to the agricultural 

 community, the deaths in many instances averaging from 40 to 

 60 per cent, of all cows attacked. 



Symptoms. 



The disease generally commences within from 12 to 48 hours 

 after an easy parturition, but it may be delayed for a few days 

 longer. (In only extremely rare cases has it come on preceding 

 parturition, or later than six days afterwards.) 



The first noticeable feature is sudden cessation of feeding,, 

 rumination, and lacteal secretion, with uneasiness, moaning, 

 dull expression of the eyes, paddling of the hind legs, rapid 

 breathing, swaying from side to side, knuckling over of the 

 fetlocks. Later on the cow drops prostrate. This may be 

 succeeded by a stage of excitement, throwing about of the head 

 and bellowing, but more frequently the cow passes into a semi- 

 conscious, sleepy condition and is unable to rise ; she remains 

 in this state, moaning slightly and assuming a characteristic 

 posture, with her neck flexed laterally and her nose touching 

 the point of her shoulder. 



As the disease progresses the cow becomes comatose, is 

 unable to see, to swallow, or to void excreta ; distension of the 

 belly sets in and death intervenes. 

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