The herald., 1897-08-05
Milk Fever

There are probably more good COWS
N Southern California than in any other
section of our country with an equal
population. One of the very pleasing
sights as we travel through the coun-
try is o see tethered at almost every
farm house fine. pure bred or highly
graded Jersey COW. 1t is well known
that these Jersey COWS are very fine
milkers. They often give large guam
tity of milk and almost invariably milk
of the finest quality. Often the high
grades are almost equal as milk and
butter producers to those that are thor
oughbred. 1t is well known that these
good mixers are specially liable TO the
disease known as milk fever. This dis
ease always comes about twentyfour
hours afer parturition. 1t is far more
likely TO occur in cows that are good
mixers than in any others II is a ter
rible disease and is characterized by
serious arrangement Of the entire nerv-
Gus system. The COW shows this dis
turbance either by throwing herself
violently about or else lying in complete
stupor or coma. 1t is probable that no
more serious ailment ever attacks our
cows than is this Of milk fever. 1t is
should come as it does. The COW has
Just beer through a severe ordeal in Civ
ing birth to the calf. In a short time if
q good mixer, the udder commences to
secrete milk, and this must be serious
depletion of the vital energies. If, then,
from any cause, a third embarrassment
come either through chill. impeded di~
gestion, or any other shock to the s'ys-
I 3 . col
ergies succumb and the nervous sys-
tenn becomes totally demoralized
We have had a large experience in the
care of dairy animals of a large milk
producing habit, and believe that we
know-how that milk fever can almost
always be prevented. or course we
should avoid those things which we have
seen tend to bring the diseased condi-
tion. In the first place, the cows should
be fed we'll for at least one or two weeks
before parturition and should always
be in good condition. After the birth of
the calf it is best to feed very little for
the first thirty-six hours. A little hay
and little bran mash are always in or
der. This caution prevents any ener-
getic action of the stomach or digestive
organs, and. also tends to lessen the milk
fiow The cow is apt to be little FEVER
ish, and if permitted to do so will often
drink too much cold water l would
never give the cow very cold water fol
pt,4e-at,u would never give 'e'-----,'i-
ivan eight or ten gallons at once ah(
always have that tepid. The co" shouie
never be exposed at such times 10 coz
or wet or anything that might plouuu'
shock. / believe with these precao
frgls slf N
tions this terrible malady whlch alliios
Sa,ways proves fatal will very rarely &c
Mr. We see that the course recon
r.ended above draws as lightly as pos
Sge from the vital energies ana aVotu
eWvthing that would tend to ais'ur
the[nctionala activities
1t Noften well to give the hrsl mi II
or colArum-all that is not neeoeu y
\ the eaS>.o the cow. The COW relis'l' ~
Y this atlsnH Zines and it probably ac
as a catsartiAand so is the very De Dc,
nossble fpd foNpoth COW and calf. II
svsrshs si9S>yhch =, Tsh t. : very very ins iife
rent><frum is 1rpnstipated. aud
COW. hat is needed