DROPPING AFTER CALVING. 
583 
great good will be done. We hold, indeed, that benefit 
results more from quickening the peristaltic movements than 
by the mere evacuation of faeces. Still, it must be borne in 
mind that the administration of repeated doses of drastic 
purgatives is not to be commended, for it frequently happens 
that, should a favorable change in the symptoms take place, 
a copious and continuous diarrhoea will set in, which will 
prove fatal to the semi-convalescent animal, being the result 
of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomachs 
and intestines induced by the medicine. If any adjunct to 
the cathartic first administered be required, it should consist 
of enemas often repeated ; a stimulating one occasionally, but 
mainly composed of a bland fluid like soap-and-water. 
We take no objection to drawing at the teats if not too 
perseveringly had recourse to, for such a proceeding does, in 
our opinion, more harm than good, by disquieting the animal 
by so frequently altering her position to get at the mammary 
glands. Milking can only remove the fluid from the reser¬ 
voirs of the glands which had been secreted prior to the 
attack; and afterwards it can go but little way towards re¬ 
storing the secretion of the mammae when coma has set in. 
As adjuncts to these means, as well as to others yet to be 
named, the animal should be thickly clothed, and every effort 
made to promote warmth of the surface. For this purpose 
we have known warm flat-irons , as used in the laundry, 
gently passed over the body from time to time, to be attended 
with advantage. The legs should also be rubbed with a 
stimulating liniment, such as turpentine and oil in equal 
quantities, and wrapped in warm flannel bandages. Sinapisms 
should likewise be applied to the abdomen. The spine may 
be rubbed with a stimulating liniment, particularly over the 
region of the back and loins; but the head should be kept 
cool by the application of cloths dipped in cold water. To 
this extent and to no further should the so-called antiphlo¬ 
gistic plan of treatment be adopted. Contrasted with the 
phlogistic, which consists of the exhibition of stimulating 
agents even from the commencement of the attack, experi¬ 
ence has shown that it is less successful. 
{To be continued.') 
