12 



Farmers' Bulletin 1135. 



quantity of linseed-oil meal, wheat bran, and legume hay, such as 

 alfalfa, soy bean, or lespedeza, may be used. If this does not relieve 

 the condition, give castor oil or raw linseed oil, one-fourth pint, or 

 Epsom salt in doses according to the age of the calf, although closing 

 should be avoided as much as possible. 



Diarrhea or Scours." — If constipation is not relieved diarrhea or 

 scours ma}^ follow. This ailment is indicated by thin, washy, offen- 

 sive droppings. It is usually the result of improper feeding, irregu- 

 lar suckling, or overfeeding with anything that overloads the stom- 

 ach. Damaged grain fed to the calf, or even to the cow before the 

 calf is weaned, may cause digestive disorders. Exposure or over- 

 heating may also be a predisposing cause. Silage, alfalfa hay, and 

 possibly linseed-oil meal, when fed in large quantities to older 

 calves for a long period, may cause this condition, which should be 

 corrected by an immediate reduction of such feeds and the substitu- 

 tion of dry grass hays and a little cottonseed meal for a part of the 

 ration. If such conditions occur with a calf not yet weaned, reduce 

 the milk allowance and withhold all grain. In severe cases withhold 

 all feed for 12 hours. As a last resort put the cow on dry feed en- 

 tirely and let the calf suck another cow. 



Remedies easily obtained for the small calf are castor oil, 1 table- 

 spoonful to one-fourth pint, depending upon the size of the calf, 

 given as a drench with warm, sweet milk, followed by 1 teaspoonful 

 of a mixture of 1 part salol and 2 parts subnitrate of bismuth. An- 

 other remedy used wdth success is 4 drops of formalin to 1 quart of 

 warm milk. Commonly used home remedies include whites of 2 

 raw eggs or a weak solution of limewater given in 1 or 2 tablespoon- 

 ful doses. Feed and manage the calf so as to prevent diarrhea or 

 scours. Such disorders stop the growth of the calf for several days 

 at least and make it more susceptible to them later. 



Blackleg. — Blackleg is an infectious disease associated with ex- 

 ternal swelling, usually about the forelegs or shoulders, and w^hich 

 emits a crackling, sound where handled. The germ causing the dis- 

 ease is widely distributed throughout most sections of the country. 

 Young cattle between 6 months and 2 years of age are most likely 

 to take the disease. Calves under 6 months old are rarely attacked. 

 Blackleg is controlled by immunization by vaccination. All animals 

 should be vaccinated before they are 6 months old and again 6 

 months later. Vaccine can be obtained from the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington, 

 D. C, from your State college or State department of agriculture, or 

 from companies manufacturing the serum. 



Lice. — It is not a reflection on the owner for his calf to have lice 

 on it, but to allow them to remain there is a serious reflection. They 

 not only annoy the calf but lower its vitality to resist diseases and 



