The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-03-29
PARTURIENT APOPLEXY
MILK FEVER. J

COW, and one that visits more or less
every herd of cattle, without regard to
their breed, or care or to the nature of
their surroundings. 1t is in view Of this
fact that take up this subject for our
present consideration, for every one should
know something about its nature, causes
and treatment should it at any time visit
their herd.
This very common lnalady affects all
breeds of cows that are in plethoric
condition, and that are heavy mixers.
1t generally appears at the time of par
turition (birth of the calf, or within one
or two days afterwards. 1t is very sell
dom seen before parturitinn, Or following
a difficult or protracted delivery; uterine
hemorrhage; abortion: or the retaining
of the uterine membranes within the
uteris. 1t is claimed by many that this
is blood disease.
Mr.. Gamgee, in his work OF Domestic
Animals, says, that notwithstanding the
sporadic nature OF partur!ent apoplexy
in cattle, it is marked by the development
OF poison capable of inducing a similar
disease in other animals, of affecting the
human frame, and hence rendering the
flesh of animals affected with it unfit Cor
human food
If this be true the number Of the hu-
man race would ere this have been re-
duced, for it is u well-known fact that the
flesh of animals killed while suffering
from parturient apopexy is a common
article of food, AMI that 10 bad conse
Quences result from it, provided the ami
NAL was killed early, and before the sys-
tenn has become empoisoned by the ex-
cessive doses of medicines usually given
in treating this malady, and before the
animal fluids and solids become impreg-
mated 10y the accumulation of etfete ma
teriala.
All the other theories, namely, that
which traces the origin Of the disease, to
arrangement of the nervous system; and
to the anatomical peculiarities of the COW:
and to Indigestion, may, when taken
conformity, think, be looked upon as
Offering at least an explanation. We do
know that this is a parturient disease,
characterized by a suppression OF the
milk, congestion Of the brain and ap-
oplexy.
This disease seldom attacks poor milk
ers, no matter of what breed they may
be. 1t is generally seen in heavy mixers.
Age and heavy milking is IA predisposing
cause Of this affection. The tendency to
the disease is intensified by warm veal her
and the stimulating food which is gener-
ally allowed in great abundance. All
cattle should be well fed, but it must be
remembered that prior to calying, deep
milking cows which are dry or nearly SO,
rapidly become fat, and that this state of
the body at the time OF calving is one
which excites an attack Of this malady;
in feeding an animal OF this kind, great
care should be taken that the food is not
over abundant, too nutritious, or i'll too
liquid form. Each attack of this ma
lady predisposes the animal to another
attack, which is generally fatal, very few
living to have third attack.
Rarely the symptoms manifest them
selves just prior to the birth Of the calf,
come on until from twenty hours to three
or four days afterwards. Middle aged
animals are more prone to the malady,
explained by the fact that the milking
powers are greater in them than in the
young. Atmospheric conditions have to
some extent an influence i'll Predisposing
animals to an attack Of the disease. Dur
Ing warm spring weather it is much more
prevalent than in cold SEASONS; from this
cause many newlJ-cdlved COWS are SIM
ultaneously attacked, leading many to
suppose the disease to be an euzootic.
The arrest of the secretion Of milk is
doubtless due to some disturbance Of the
organic system of nerves, and as the great
sympathetic is more fully developed in
animals that are givin. large quantity
of milk, IL is consequently more suscep
tible and more prone TO arrangement
from trivial causes. especially at tAis
critical period of parturition. The blood
required to support the foetus before its
birth is diverted, as it were, in the healthy
state to the mammary glands, at The time
Of parturition in order to supply material
for the secretion OF milk; and if, in addi-
ton to the arrest of the lactiierous secre-
ton, the various excretory organs cease
to perform their normal functions. it can
tc easily understood how the whole vas
cular system becomes engorsed and con-
gested, and eventually as tie ;nilimatory
processes continue, large ettusions take
place. This then is the condition OF the
system in this affection, not only before
the occurrence of the local brain cunges-
ton, but all through its course, and after
the animal death, when the vessels ale
found engorsed with blood and the It's
sues loaded with etfusion.
The congestion of the brain can be ac-
counted for by the mental excitement
always present at the time Of parturition,
and this argument is borne out by the
fact that the removal of the offspring
from It's mother is fruitful exciting
cause of the 50 called milk fever. The
lower animals are capable OF expressing
strong maternal restiessuess; it is of very
common occurrence to see COW lose her
appetite, become restless and unhappy
when deprived of her calf, this is of itself
a fruitful source Of producin a deran:e-
ment of the health. X.
CONTINUED.
lie had just returned from his sun
mer vacation, and describing the be; IL
ties of mountain scenery to lady friend,
he asked: "Have you ever seen the Cats
kill-mountains ~ ard she answered: |