MILK FEVER

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1787, 27 July 1926, Page 3

MILK FEVER

AND ITS TREATMENT. 'Milk fever is a disorder dreaded by the. farmer but a knowledge of reme- , dlial measures taken in time, can alleviate the distress and prevent disaster. Ht is true that milk fever has always been a dreaded disorder. We call it milk fever, but it is an improper term. We also call it parturient paralysis, Avhich is also an incorrect name. We have no name that gives the true natufe of the trouble which is no doubt due .to a terrific nervous shock to highly Strung cows at time of calving. It often destroys the most valuable cows in the herd. There are several treatments for it. Some people give the cow miedicine, a very foolish thing, comments the Farm and Ranch Review, because she is paralysed and cannot swallow, and the medicine goes to her lungs instead of her stomach. Another treatment is the potassium iodlide, and it seems to cure a great many animals by injecting a little potassium iodide in .water, Then there is the oxygen .treatment, the pumping: of oxygen into each quarter of theempty udder until it is dis'tended so' full that it can be seen working: through the skin. Finally cattle breed.ers became convinced that this was not necessary, and discovered, the fresh air treatment. Every farmer ought to have a bicycle pump fixed wilth tubing, on the end of which ,he can attach a small milking tube or goose quill. Put the bicycle pump in boiling water, and let it remain there for five minutes so as to sterilifee it in order that no* bacteria may be carried into the udder. < With this pump infta'te one quarter of the udi'der until it is fairly Well distended, then the next quarter, and repeat this until all four quarters are' fairly well filled; then give the udder a thorough massage, rubbing it Well. Of coufrse, all the milk from the udder should be removed before any air is forced into it. Rub the udder thoroughly, and that is all there is to do. If the cow does not get up in an hour repeat the injection. It is a very simple procesis, and if taken hold of promptly there is no reason why any cow should bV lost from its distressing ailment.