142 
Rearing of Calves. 
condition. We have treated such customers successfully by 
putting on a small leather nose-bag at mealtimes, the bottom 
Ijeing perforated with a couple of holes, each i'\;ths of an inch in 
diameter. 
Again, care must he taken to have the calf well bedded at least 
twice daily, wheat-straw, shortened, being the best litter for the 
purpose ; attention to this point will tend, as much as anything, 
to keep the animal in good health. No vermin must be allowed 
to obtain a lodgment ; how often is it the case that the entire 
welldoing of a calf is retarded from the presence of lice on the 
head or neck, the top of the shoulder, or towards the rump ! If 
in a continual state of irritation, its thriving can scarcely be 
looked for. We are not aware that the appearance of these 
parasites is attributable to any peculiarity in management ; 
Calves in good condition, calves in the highest condition, as 
well as those of a contrary character, are alike subject to them. 
A dressing of sour buttermilk, well brushed into the skin, is 
called for without delay, or the usual application of stavesacre, 
soda, and soft soap, if the former is ineffectual. 
In the case of any other ailment that calfhood is liable to, we 
have found " Day's Gaseous Fluid" an amply sufficient resource. 
Since using it we have not lost a single calf, neither can we refer 
to a calf having had any attack of scouring which continued a 
couple of hours, nor to one instance of the succeeding meal Ijeing 
refused, however much may have been the loss of appetite 
previously.* Probatum est. 
* This complaint (diarrhoea) is one of the most troublesome •with which the 
calf-breeder has to deal. Again and again inquiries are inserted in the agri- 
cultural papers asking information on the subject, and the replies are as varied 
as the queries are uniform. Take a recent case, from the columns of ' Bell's 
Weekly Messenger,' where "An Old Subscriber" says, — "I have adopted all the 
means veterinary skill can suggest, but with no good result. Some of my calves 
begin to scour when not more than 24 hours old, and some from a week to 10 days. 
They live wholly on new milk, always sucking from the cows. My cows have 
been living on hay cut into chatf, mixed with pulped mangold, at the rate of half 
a bushel per cow per day, and 2 lbs. of oilcake and 2 lbs. of meal. The cows have 
had no grass till this day. I lose about half my calves from this scouring. Any 
iuformation will be thankfully received." One reply recommends the inquirer 
to " see that the cow be well milked before he allows the calf to suck, giving it 
a tablespoonful of castor oil, in new milk taken from a cow that has been calved 
some time. The first milk is too rich for the calf. I formerlj- lost several calves 
from the same complaint, but never one since I adopted this plan." Another says, 
" Try a teacupful of rennet for the scour in calves, given just before the}- begin 
to suck, or a strong infusion of bramble-leaves. Dry the leaves in a cool oven, 
rub them down, and infuse for 15 minutes." And again: — "If 'An Old Sub- 
scriber ' will give his calves that scour (according to age and strengtli of the 
animal) from one-third to one-half of one of Cupiss's Constitution Horse and 
Cattle Balls, broken sufliciently fine to be given in cold gruel or water, he will 
find the medicine a remedy, and otherwise beneficial. It may be repeated, if 
necessary. In hot weather it will be necessary to put the ball into cold water a 
few minutes, or it will not break for mixing.'' A fourth says : — " I should recom- 
