Milk Fever in Cattle.

Otago Witness, Issue 1971, 14 November 1889, Page 7

Milk Fever in Cattle.

Editob Witness,— Sir : Seeing numbers of farmers are losing cattle on the Taieri and elsewhere by milk fever, perhaps you will find room for the following. Milk fever sets in from the first, to the third day after calving, well bred cows and good milkers, being peculiarly susceptible to take it. By some it is regarded as contagious, but I think those writers only -are correct who assert that unless a cow is calving about the time the one suffering ia, or is put in the same byre that an affected cow died in shortly before, there is no danger; though instances aro on record where there has almost been an epidemic of this com* plaint. Of the various preventive causes, the only one of interest to stockowners is the humane one. Keep the cattle from taking chills. Draughts are bad and cause more deaths from, .the above disorder than owners are generally aware of. The first symptoms are the suppression of the milk ; loss of appetite ; the cow's head is hung and swings from side to side : she does not chew the cud, and the head gets iutensely hot, the sight is lost, and the power to swallow is gone ; paralysis of the hind quarters set in, and the cow either .dies in convulsions or coma. The bladder and bowels are both obstinate, but. if the prognosis is favourable the secretions are resumed about 36 hours after the symptoms first set in.

I have treated hundreds of cows for this complaint here and in the North Island, and can positively assert I have not lost 2 per cent, when I have been able to see a cow in the early stages of the disease. A cow once haviug had it generally takes it at the next calving, often with every subsequent calf ; when, therefore, a cow has once been attacked, about a week , before next calving, give a drench as follows :— lib Epsom salts, l^'z Jamaica ginger, either in • a quart of warm water or gruel. These can be obtained anywhere, and will almost always ward off an attack. The remedy is as simple as the preventive. Immediately after delivery, or on' the first appearance of tho trouble, give £oz of tincture of aconite, and repeat 20 to 30 drop doses every hour after till all danger is past. If necessary tho bowels must be relieved by manual aid. I have rarely had to give more than two oTr three doses to the worst eases, and have always found good results follow. As soon as the cow is on her feet again I like her to have' the salts and ginger drench again. If farmers therefore will simply keep this drug by them in their byre a shilling expenditure will often save them pounds subsequently.— I am, &c, . Duuedin, November 8. A. A. Loasby.