THE COW-HER DISEASES AND MANAGEMENT.-NO. I. 
142 
is certainly very extraordinary. But we hold j 
to the doctrine that if the proper elements are 
returned to the land, after harvest, the same crop 
may he grown year after year for an indefinite time. 
As to land becoming sick, or tired of crops, or that 
the excretion from the roots of plants is poisonous 
to the land, we have very little faith. 
d 
A FACT USEFUL TO BE KNOWN IN REGARD 
TO THE POTATO. 
Those who are in the habit of cutting their po¬ 
tatoes to plant, may not generally he aware that 
the sets, or eyes, near the end op¬ 
posite to the root cr, fig. 33, will 
come to maturity a fortnight ear¬ 
lier than those at the root end d. 
Yet, this is staled, on good author¬ 
ity, to be true, and these two 
classes of sets, when planted, will 
produce an earlier and a later 
crop. From the same authority, 
it is inferred that the sets from 
the middle, b, c, will mature at a period intermedi¬ 
ate to the two. 
Therefore, it is recommended, that those who 
cut their potatoes, should separate the sets into 
three parcels, and plant them in distinct ground, in 
order that the crop may not be unequal in its time 
of maturity. 
THE COW—HER DISEASES AND MANAGE¬ 
MENT.—No. I. 
Fig 
Every domestic animal, like the cow, is to be 
regarded as by no means living in a state of nature. 
Like her mistress, she partakes of civilized life, 
and, of course, is subject to similar infirmities with 
the human race. The period she is with young, 
with her, is a state of indisposition, and every mana¬ 
ger of cattle should bear this in mind, and treat her, 
during this time, with every attention and care. 
Her actual diseases are not, indeed, numerous, but 
they are frequently very severe, always having a 
tendency to premature birth in her offspring, and 
sometimes causing death to herself. Therefore, 
every precaution should be employed to prevent 
accidents of this kind, and the utmost attention 
paid to her diet, exercise, and in affording her whole¬ 
some air. 
The diet of the cow, during the early stages of 
pregnancy, may not vary from the ordinary course ; 
but at the end of three months, a portion of her 
food should be of a mild, emolient, and relaxing 
nature, such as potatoes, turnips, cabbages, the 
leaves and stalks of green corn, or any other vege¬ 
tables which have a similar effect. The great point 
to be aimed at, is to keep her bowels regularly open, 
which, if not effected by her food, may be done by 
occasionally giving her the following dose :— 
Epsom salts, 1 of a lb. 5 salt petre (nitre), 1| oz.; 
cream tartar, 4 oz. 5 anise seed, | oz. : coriander 
seed, I oz.; fenugreek, | oz. 
This medicine should be well mixed together and 
given to the cow in two quarts of whey, or water 
gruel, with a pint of ale, or beer, and half a pint of 
molasses. Should not this open the body suffi¬ 
ciently, in 24 hours, it maybe repeated. In the 
course of the operation, she may be supplied every 
few hours with drafts of warm water, or thin 
gruel. Should the cow be in a fat, or high condi¬ 
tion, and show symptoms of fever, it will be proper 
to bleed her before the medicine is given^ but 
if she be low in flesh, and impoverished in blood, 
bleeding should be dispensed with. 
Air and exercise are absolutely necessary to the 
cow, as well as to other animals, and indeed, they 
are of such importance to her, that she cannot con¬ 
tinue long, in a perfect state of health, without fully 
enjoying them. They wonderfully assist nature in 
its operations, by promoting the necessary secre¬ 
tions and evacuations, which are always useful to 
the preservation of health. Precaution should be 
observed, however, with cows highly fed, as the 
warmth of their food, with exercise, promotes per¬ 
spiration, and shortly afterwards, if they are suf¬ 
fered to remain in the open air, exposed to raw, 
chilly winds, or if they are allowed to drink as 
much cold water as their inclinations sometimes 
crave, their whole system will often immediately 
be chilled, from which cause a violent cold is liable 
to ensue. 
The most predominent symptoms of the latter 
complaint, are, a violent shivering or shaking of 
the extremities : the hair stands erect; and a sud¬ 
den loss, or deficiency, of milk takes place,, with 
want of appetite, followed by a purging, which 
soon stops. Shortly after, the animal generally 
becomes veiy costive ; her ears, horns, and extremi¬ 
ties are cold 5 her pulse feeble : and she will ap¬ 
pear low and languid, having but little inclination to 
move or stir : but as the disease advances, if not 
checked, her pulse will beat quick and strong ; her 
body will become hot; her mouth frothy and clam¬ 
my, attended with thirst; and a heaving, or quick 
motion,, will be perceived in her flanks. If her 
lungs are affected, a cough is often the con¬ 
sequence. 
In the early stage of the cold, if the cow be in 
good condition, from one to two quarts of blood 
may be taken from her; but if she is low, and lean 
in flesh, from a pint to a quart will be sufficient. 
Should the disease be far advanced, attended by a 
strong quick pulse, double the quantity of blood 
may be taken. After bleeding the cow, give a dose 
of the following medicine (milk warm), mixed in 
two quarts of water gruel, to which has been added 
half a pint of molasses and a pint of warm beer, 
or ale :— 
Epsom salts, 1 of a lb. ; saltpetre (nitre), 4 oz.; 
cream tartar, 4 oz. ; salt of tartar, 4 oz.; pow¬ 
dered ginger, | oz. 
This medicine acts as a gentle stimulus, and 
causes the bowels to relax, which is highly neces¬ 
sary, in order to prevent costiveness and fever; or if 
fever has already taken place, it will be the means 
of stopping its progress. The diet of the cow 
should consist of very thin, warm water gruel, and 
a mash made of malt and bran. In six or eight 
hours after taking the last-named dose, the follow¬ 
ing powders may be given, twice a day, mixed in a 
quart of water gruel and a pint of ale, until the dis¬ 
ease is removed:— 
Saltpetre, 3 drachms; salt of tartar, 4 oz.; pow¬ 
dered valerian, % oz.; anise seed, 4 oz. ; powdered 
liquorice, § oz. ; pounded juniper berries, 4 oz. j 
powdered tumeric, f oz. ; mustard seed, f oz. j pow¬ 
dered camphor, \\ drachms. 
