734 
ON PUERPERAL FEVER IN CATTLE. 
medulla spinalis were examined, and, on reference to my commu- 
nication, you will see that I stated, “ that on splitting the bones of 
the spine, the sacral and lumbar vertebrae were inflamed, and the 
theca vertebralis and bloodvessels of the medulla spinalis at 
this part gorged with blood, but the brain had no morbid ap- 
pearance.” 
I hope this statement will be satisfactory to “ A Veterinary 
Surgeon;” and I beg to tell him, that I would rather encounter an 
honourable foe than a masked enemy, and that, if he has any further 
remarks to make on my contributions to you, he must disclose his 
name, otherwise I shall not take the slightest notice of them. 
[We cordially thank Mr. Tombs for these very proper observations 
on anonymous correspondents. We take our full share of the 
blame, and submit without a murmur to deserved castigation. 
The “ Veterinary Surgeon” and ourselves had been old ac- 
quaintances, and shall ever continue to be friends; but there was 
no reason, as we have often told him, why he should have with- 
held his name. Neither Mr. Tombs, nor any other contributor, 
shall again have reason to complain. — Y.] 
ON PUERPERAL FEVER IN CATTLE. 
By Mr. J. Hawthorn, V.S., Kettering. 
The papers which have been inserted in The VETERINARIAN 
at different times on puerperal fever in cows, have thrown consi- 
derable light on that disease, and I have no doubt will lead to 
much improvement in the treatment of it ; but could not some- 
thing more be done to prevent its occurrence 1 I think if, a week 
before calving, the cow was kept in the house, and especially in the 
daytime during summer, and was limited in her quantity of food, 
which, for the most part, should be hay, the excessive and sudden 
demand on the secreting power of the udder would be restrained. 
I should do every thing to check this demand for a few days, by 
attending to the state of the body, &c. 
I am much inclined to think that this commences in and is 
essentially a disease of the udder. What is one of the earliest symp- 
toms but a stoppage of the secretion of milk, together with a loss 
of power in the nerves of voluntary motion 1 In these cases, every 
thing conspires to increase the functions of the udder. She has 
had a good calving — the placenta has been quickly ejected — the 
blood which went to the supply of the foetus is now directed to 
the bag. The age is probably such as to ensure, by former calv- 
