OR DROPPING AFTER CALVING. 
455 
If the pulse becomes round and soft under the exhibition of 
these medicines, the case is proceeding favourably; but care 
must be taken that we do not make more haste than good speed. 
The bowels must be kept open, and after they have been eva¬ 
cuated by the sulphate of magnesia, the action will be best kept 
up by four or six-ounce doses of sulphur. I have said nothing cf 
clysters ; not because I object to their use, but because they are not 
of much service in the cow, except she is very much constipated. 
I am not, however, a disciple of Mr. Knowlson, who says, 
“ Many are for giving glysters ; and I have known them given in 
this complaint until the animal has been blown as full of wind 
as she could hold, which was the direct way to kill her, for the 
glysters and air must fill the bowels; and yet some of these 
people call themselves cow-doctors. It is difficult enough to 
prevent her swelling, without giving her so many glysters as to 
cause her to swell.” The tonics should be gradually diminished 
as the cure advances, and altogether suspended if the pulse gets 
hard and bounding, and the flanks begin again to heave. 
Opium in doses of a scruple, and emetic tartar half a drachm, 
will, under this stage of the disease, be very useful. If the 
feces be very offensive, and the eructation of foetid gas continue, 
a solution of the chloride of lime may be advantageously given 
in the proportions of one ounce of the concentrated solution to a 
half pint of water. This will be particularly indicated if the 
discharge from the womb be considerable and foetid. 
Attention should be paid to the comfortable situation and 
cleanliness of the cow. She should be watched before she 
actually drops, and got as soon as possible into the house, and 
well and warmly littered up. If she drops in the field, it may 
be difficult to get her home; and if bad weather comes on she 
will certainly be lost. The disease, however, most frequently 
occurs in the heat of the summer. She should be placed, if pos¬ 
sible, on her belly, the fore parts a little elevated, and secured as 
much as may be in that position by trusses of straw; and she 
should be turned morning and evening, to prevent soreness and 
excoriation. 
Gruel, and water a little warm, should be frequently offered 
to her; and if obstinately refused, she should be moderately 
drenched with thick gruel*. Bran or malt mashes may be 
^ • 
* I cannot refrain from again quoting from Mr. Parkinson : “After a cow 
has calved it is advisable to let her have an opportunity of drinking as 
much cold water as she will, but by no means warm water; the latter 
opening the pores and letting in cold air . By drinking much cold water 
their urine is increased, and the continual straining to \oid it causes 
them to force their cleaning .”—Parkinson ut sup. vol. i, p. CO. 
