Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-07-07
Milk Fever.

for COWS then coming into milk, especially
for those advanced in years. II therefore
behoovcs those with such stock TO be watch
ful in the care and habits Of such COWS to
ward off the destructive malady. The old
axiom that an ounce Of prevention is worth
pound of cure, is applicable in milk fever.
Causes that are fruitful in producing it are
full feed, exposure from excess of heat, sud-
den chill from drinking too much cold water,
drenching shower, and a lack OF needed |
supply Of water TO drink, which suppress |
important changes in circulating in the sys-
TEN about the time they are turning to
flow Of milk. 1t often happens after COWS
are turned to pasture that they calve away
from water, and will not leave the calf till it
will follow. The COW then being diseased
by thirst, on reaching water drinks too
much, or If separated from the calf she may
worry herself in the heat to over.fatigue and
cause depression Of the nervous system, all
of which may be avoided by judicious treat
ment.
To prepare the system of the COW for the
changes that must take place at parturition,
care is necessary. 1t may be done by TAX
ing four quarts of blood from the neck,
day or two previous, and administering a
half pound Of salts with one teaspoonful Of
saltpetre, dissolved. This course will pre-
vent morbid condition of the system, aud
may be means Of preventing an attack Of
the fever. BY all means keep the COW from
excess Of heat or excitement, and do not
overfeed either before or after parturition
After being four or Eve days in milk, her
feed may be increased with her full flow of
milk.
The most virulent type Of the disease is
manifest in the attack by wild, glaring
look, high, excited movements Of the head,
irregular, giddy steps, with no apparent loss
Of strength, until the COW falls in a convul-
sive fit, which lasts but few moments. Ii
the arterial circulation is not impeded she
rises and dashes about wildly till prostrated
by another attack. In this type Of the dis
ease have found by immediate post-mor-
TEN examination from the first fit the blood
in the large arteries extending under the
back to the udder so clotted as to be drawn
out of the arteries like a rope. In this state
bleeding would be followed by death. So
would any other prescription. Ii is in this
type Of the disease in its advanced stage
that bleeding is found to be an untrust-
worthy remedy. But the chances are in
favor of bleeding if the arteries are not al
ready clotted. No time should be lost in
applying the lancet at the first symptoms
described Administer at the same time an
active purgative, followed by aconite and
mix (if treated homepathically) alternately
once in two hours with a half gallon ol
water with each dose. A dose should be
twenty times larger than for an adult per-
son, and so continue until the fever abates.
Another type of the disease is marked by
lassitude, staggering gait, falling with ina
bility to rise, shrinkage of milk, cold ex.
tremities, dull eyes, and inattention to move
ments around her. She inclines to lie pros
trate on her side for want OF strength to lie
in natural position, indicating a genera
prostraton of the nervous system with d
morbid circulation. Although this type oi
the disease is not so Immediately dangerous
as the former, it requires thorough admins.
tration Of remedies, and constant care tC
keep the patient lying in natural position
while the remedies given are working in the
system. A well COW will die from lying
upon her side in eight and forty hours. Sc
the fate of the sick COW is often fixed BY
neglect in care when she cannot care for her
self
There are but few cows, after having beer
to grass few weeks, that do not requir
bleeding in an attack OF milk fever in any
form. 1t has been my practice, ATTENDED
with good success, to first bleed, in min
cases out of ten, from four to eight quarts
according to size and condition Of COW; dis
solve one pound Of epson salts and one-hal
ounce Of saltpetre in two quarts Of t. Lorough
wort tea of good strength, and give it
dose in two hours after, give two ounce
of laudanum, with gallon Of water, and re
peat the laudanum and water once III tw
5 hours till eight ounces Of laudanum ar
Q given no other medicine should be give
to counteract those given which are foun
sufficient to carry the patient through sc
we're attack. After the first administrator
: of bleeding and physic, laudanum and waite
D are relied upon to raise the patient, whic
r requires from twelve to forty-eight hour
When she rises, exchange the medicine fc
; nourishing diet. In bleeding, the strengt
I and condition Of the patient should be du
n considered. If in low condition, and th
Q pulse 10 Weah anu "aFcIlhS w NV O''o'
but give physic and stimulate with laudI
mum as directed. Ifin high condition, witt
. quick, wiry pulse, lose no time in DRAWN
q blood, being always watchful OF the pulse
: and stop the blood if irregular beats are ol
d served to increase by the flow Of blood.
r the pulse grows softer from the flow {
: blood, do not be afraid to take from eigl
" to ten quarts from a large, strong COZ
n After bleeding largely do not neglect to az
minister water freely, because it pass
through the system and carries the mediciI
with Il and induces a flow Of milk,-Uti,
Herald.