PREVENTION OF WHITE SCOUR IN CALVES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 62

PREVENTION OF WHITE SCOUR IN CALVES

The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have just issued a leaflet drawing attention to the procedure which should be attended to in cases of Avhite scour in calves. The floors of cow-houses and calfhouses should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected at least once each week, Avith a solution of bluestone (2lbs of bluestone to every three gallons or Avater). The floor of the calf-house should be of concrete, and must be SAvept daily and disin-fected-with a solution of bluestone of the above strength. The naA r el treatment recommended is (a) When the coav is about to calve place a good layer of clean fresh hay or straAV behind her to keep the calf clean. (b) When she shows signs of calving her "bearings” should be Avashed with a Avarm 2 per cent, solution of lysol in rain Avater. The same warm solution of lysol should be injected into the passage through Avhich the calf is to be born. (3) The naA r el cord should be tied immediately at the birth of the calf with tAvine, Avhich must be kept ready in a solution of lysol. The person Avho. is to tie the cord should first scrub and wash his hands in a solution of lysol. (d) Immediately the cord is tied the portion adhering to the calf and tlie surrounding area must be Avell painted with a solution of iodine in methylated spirits (35 grains of iodine to two pints methylated spirits). (e) After a feAv minutes the navel cord must be painted Avith a layer of collodion containing 1 per cent, of iodine, or Stockholm tar may Jje used for this purpose instead of collodion and iodine.

Navel treatment without repeated and absolute disinfection Avill not be successful. Nexvly born calves must be placed in a spot Avhich has been freshly disinfected. Carbolised sawdust Avill be found «. useful itter. Heathly calves' should not be housed or fed with those that are diseased. Separated milk should not be given until the calf is four Aveeks old. The change from new to separated milk should be gradual. The calf' should have a substitute for the cream removed by the separator. One to tA\ r c per day of the best cod liver oil, or a mucilage prepared by steeping flax seed or good linseed cake, in hot Avater, Avill be found useful for this purpose, if the quantity is carefully regulated in accordance Avith the state of the boAvels.