ABSTRACTS
237
Correlation of any one symptom with changes in one constituent are difficult.
Tetany of Mg deprivation is not due to Ca content of the blood although tonic-clonic
convulsions in two calves involved hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. The many
conditions indicate the complexity of the symptomatology.
It was possible to contribute the cause of ' spotted kidneys ', in three cases, to either
vitamin A or magnesium deficiency. The dysfunction of one or more organs may have
been responsible for the sudden change in plasma colour. Superficial evidence might
indicate that liver and/or kidney disturbances were responsible for this colour
variation.
It is easily evident that the symptomatology of prolonged feeding of calves on a
whole milk diet is extremely complex and the prognosis in such cases appears unfavour-
able. (J. N. W.)
Value of various vitamins and inorganic salts for overcoming symptoms
manifest in calves restricted to a whole milk ration.G. H. WISE, T. W.
GULLICKSON AND W. E. PETERSON (1939), Jour. Dy. Sci. 22, 573-82.
T HE response of malnourished calves, resulting from prolonged feeding on only whole
milk, to the addition of vitamins A and D and the minerals: iron, copper and
magnesium to the diet was studied.
A concentrated cod liver oil preparation was used to supply the vitamins, whereas
Fe 2 Cl 3 , CuSO 4 , and MgCO 3 , MgCl 2 or MgSO 4 were used to supply the minerals. Fe
and Cu were provided in amounts suggested by Knoop, Krauss and Washburn and Mg
in an amount sufficient to maintain the plasma Mg between 2.0 and 2.5 mg per 100 mls.
Five mls. of 1.3 per cent KI solution were fed daily to all calves. Blood samples were
taken bi-weekly.
Lack of uniformity in the experimental animals resulted in various reactions. Two
calves received only Mg supplements. In one a previously acquired swallowing diffi-
culty was noticeably eased and the vigour oft he calf increased. Death ensued following
anorexia, constipation, dyspnoea and abdominal distention due to a migration of fluids
into the alimentary canal. In. the other the syndrome included dysphagia, stiffness,
enlarged joints and paresis. A semi-paralytic state and dysphagia were relieved, but
other symptoms continued to progress. Diarrhoea and bloat appeared to be the direct
cause of death.
Another calf responded to cod liver oil, MgCO 3 and FeCl 3 plus CuSO 4
(Fe : Cu= 10 : 1), administered in the order given, and conceived on second breeding
during normal oestrus. A fourth calf receiving the same supplements, only in a reverse
order, responded similarly, but did not conceive. In this case, however, a very depraved
appetite was integral to the ingestion of large amounts of sand, gravel and cinders.
These brought on rumenitis, acute gastritis and enteritis which caused death.
The remaining three calves returned to normal. Their treatments were : 1. FeCl 3
plus CuSO 4 , followed by MgCO 3 plus cod liver oil; plus glucose; 2. FeCl 3 plus CuSO 4 ,
followed by MgCO 3 plus cod liver oil; and 3. cod liver oil followed by MgCO 3 after which
FeCl 3 plus CuSO 4 was also given.
In the consideration of the many constituents studied in this milk syndrome of
calves it was further indicated that magnesium needs considerable study. In general
it seems that calves on an unsupplemented whole milk ration develop hypomagnesemia,
the cause of which seemingly lies in the etiology of the lowering of the plasma Mg. It
seems that calves need more Mg than is generally supposed, but whether the nephritic
condition associated with hypomagnesemia in calves is the cause or effect of decreased
Mg should be determined by metabolism trials. However, the addition of MgCO 3 to
the whole milk ration of calves in this study effected a normal Mg level.
All abnormalities in these calves were partially or wholly overcome by the treat-
ment given, except depraved and erratic appetite. The evidence, however, of the
response in other cases being such as would unquestionably enhance the favourability
of prognosis in cases of such deficiencies not necessarily due to a whole milk diet, makes
further study desirable. The physical nature of this ration may be important.
(J.N.W.).