Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

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MILK FEVER—DROPPING AFTER CALVING. 407
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tion, and he will beware lest he kindles the fire afresh ; but if the
cow should continue in a low and weakly state, and especially if her
remaining strength should seem to be gradually declining, gentian
and ginger may be administered twice in the day, in doses of half
an ounce of the first and a quarter of an ounce of the second ; but
the outrageous quantities of aromatics and bitters, and ardent spirits,
that are occasionally given, cannot fail of being injurious.
It occasionally happens, that the cow appears to recover a portion"
of strength in her fore-quarters, and makes many ineffectual attempts
to rise, but the hind-quarters are comparatively powerless. This
partial palsy of the hind extremities is the natural consequence both
of inflammation of the womb and of the bowels. The best remedy
is a plaster. All embrocations are thrown away on the thick skin of
the cow, and the constant stimulus of a plaster and the mechanical
support afforded by it, will alone effect the desired purpose. A
week or ten days should be given to the animal, in order to see
whether the power of voluntary motion in these limbs will return
but should the paralytic affection then remain, a sling must be contrived,
by which she may be supported, and during the use of which
she may be enabled gradually to throw a portion of her weight
upon these legs, and re-accustom them to the performance of their
duty.
A very singular variety of the disease has already been hinted at.
The cow is down, but there is apparently nothing more the matter
with her than that *he is unable to rise ; she eats, and drinks, and
ruminates as usual, and the evacuations are scarcely altered. In
this state she continues from two days to a fortnight, and then she
gets up well.
There is a common consent amongst the different organs of the frame
both under healthy and diseased action. It has been stated that a
partial or total suppression of the secretion of milk is frequently an
early symptom, and, in some stage or other, an almost invariable one,
of the disease. Experience jkewise shows that if the secretion of
milk can be recalled, the restoration of the use of the limbs is not far
distant. The teats should be frequently drawn, and the discharge of
milk industriously solicited. This is a simple method of cure, but it
is a far more effectual one than many imagine.
That milk-fever is sometimes epidemic, there is every reason to
suppose. The practitioner may, perhaps, be long without a case,
but if one comes under his notice, he has reason to suspect that it
will soon be followed by others.
That there is a constitutional tendency to this complaint, cannot be
denied. Beasts in high condition are peculiarly subject to it ; and
an animal that has once experienced an attack of it becomes exceedingly
liable to the disease at her next, or at some future calving.
Agriculturists are perfectly aware of this ; and if a cow recovers
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