REVIEW— COMPENDIUM OF CATTLE MEDICINE. 
53 
known before. With this view, they obtained the able assistance 
of Mr. W. C. Spooner, to whom we are indebted for this new and 
valuable edition of White. It is, indeed, an improvement on the 
old work ; and if Mr. Spooner borrows largely from other writers, 
he honourably acknowledges his obligation. This volume not 
only embraces the diseases and management of cattle, but also 
of sheep, swine, dogs, poultry, &c. 
We extract the Editor’s observations on the “ Drop, or Puerperal 
Fever,” as a specimen of the manner in which the various subjects 
that come before him are treated 
“ Many cows die of this disorder, which is produced either 
from being too fat at the time of calving, from having been fed 
improperly, or from the calf having been disturbed in the womb, 
and having thereby its position changed, or from the force and 
violence employed in delivery. Difficult calving is so frequent in 
cows, that cattle doctors who have acquired a successful method 
of assisting them, or drawing the calf, as'it is termed, are consi- 
dered very useful persons in a dairy district. Too often, how- 
ever, they do considerable mischief by the force they employ, and 
especially if the cow is fat, or in good order. Not only inflam- 
mation of the womb is thus produced, but such exhaustion of the 
vital power, that the fever which quickly follows proves fatal. 
“ The remedies to be employed are bleeding, a mild laxative, 
and a clyster. Cordials and anodynes are sometimes employed, 
such as ale with a little toast in it, or some preparation of opium. 
“ There may be cases where the cow, after calving, appears lan- 
guid and weak, and where such medicines are useful, by giving 
temporary energy to the system, and thereby hastening the ex- 
pulsion of the after-birth ; but whenever there is much fever, which 
is indicated by the quickness of the pulse, difficult breathing, 
pain, and want of appetite, cordials would be improper. 
“ Puerperal, or milk fever, is seldom cured, but may always, or 
almost always, be prevented, by keeping cows as much as can be 
in the fields, and, when it becomes necessary to give hay, to give 
such only as is of the best quality. It is advisable also to keep 
them in a situation where they can have shelter in wet and cold 
weather. Tying them up, and keeping them on bad hay, is cer- 
tainly the source of the evil ; but it should also be known, that 
exposure to the wet and cold of winter greatly depresses the vital 
powers, and thereby diminishes the energy of the digestive sys- 
tem, rendering it less capable than it would otherwise be of di- 
gesting the bad hay or straw that is often, or generally, given 
them in winter. Mr. Sumner cured five out of six by bleeding 
freely, giving opening medicine and clysters, and covering the 
loins with sheep-skin.” — White. 
