The Farm.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 465, 10 March 1882, Page 23

The Farm.

MILK FEVBK OB DBOP APTEB CALVIHO.

Among the diseases of the nervous system which are associated with loss of nerve force none is more serious than the well known affection " dropping after calving," or, in technical language, " parturient apoplexy." Other names are given to this disease, under an erroneous impression that it bears a semblance to maladies which occur in the human subject. f?uch terms as " milk fever" and " puerperal fever" are applied to tbe disease in the cow by those who hold these views ; but it as been conclusively shown that there are no characters in com • mon in the disease of the cow after calving and puerperal or milk fever of the human subject. Dropping after calving is an affection peculiar to the cow at the period of parturition, and does not resemble any disease which occurs in other animals at this time. Dropping after calving is essentially a congestive disease of the vessels of the brain and spinal cord. The causes which give rise to the congestion aTe not well defined — in fact, they are not recognised at all. What has been advanced in reference to the sudden refluxion into the system of the mother of tbe blood which has up to the lime of calving been used for the support of the young one, is not worth much, when it is remembered that the foetus has its own system of circulatory organs, which it brings with it into the world. Some revulsion undoubtedly takes place in the system of the mother, aB the uterus contracts at once, and therefore demands less nutriment than it required during the development of the foetus ; bat whatever fores there is in the argument that a large quantity of blood is thrown back into the system of the mother as soon as the young one is born must apply equally to each time of parturition, whereas the susceptibilty to an attack of dropping after calving does not appear to be developed until the third time of calving or even later on, and the attack is not due to any special injury or excitement at the period, because it more commonly than not happens in cases of perfectly natural and easy delivery. Certain breeds are most susceptible to an attack of " dropping," and among them Alderneys which have been bred in this country may be selected as especially liable, after the second or third calf, to drop. It has occasionally happened that some herds have suffered from this affection in a remarkable degree. Professor Simonds mentions the case of a fine Jersey herd which was under his care from 1838 to 1842 The annual losses from parturient apoplexy reached 20 per cent., and the losses were regularly repaired by the purchase of a calf heifer, so that the number was kept up to twentyfive. In the year above named every care was taken to keep the animals in good health, and all the surroundings in regard to pure air, good pasture, and excellent attendance were most favourable ; but, in spite of all precautions, the deaths from the disease we. c never less than 8 per cent, of the herd — a result which goes far to prove that the specifics which some persons claim to have discovered are not to be relied on. Premonitory signs of an attack of parturient apoplexy may be detected by an experienced observer Boon after parturition. The cow is excited, and sometimes makes a movement as if to run at persons to whose presence she is quite accustomed, manifesting meanwhile a remarkable solicitude about her calf, and resisting every interference on the part of the attendant. Suppression of the secretion of milk, or the sudden cessation or diminution of the secretion after it has once been established, is a very important symptom to note, and it may be expected that this occurrence will be soon followed by dulnesfl and unsteadiness of movement, especially of the hind-quarters. Constipation is generally present at tbis stage of the disorder, and the general secretions are defective. Before actual unconsciousness occurs the cow affected with parturient apoplexy will be down on one side, with her head turned to the opposite flank, or, in the worst form of the disease, with the head and neck extended. All the functions of organic life are, in this stage of the disorder, suspended ; power of motion is lost or much impaired ; the eye becomes insensible to light, and even to the touch of the finger, tbe pupil is dilated, and the condition which is described as " amaurotic " is established ; and in this comatose state the animal dies. Post-mortem examination of the brain and spinal cord shows the presence of extensive congestion, and sometimes extravasation of blood, especially in that part of the cord which is in the region of the loins. Effusion of fluid into the membrane covering the cord is also common. Treatment of parturient apoplexy, unless it is applied before the congestion has resulted in a serious disturbance of the nervous functions, is not likely to be successful. It must, indeed, be obvious that when the nervous functions are suspended, medicines, however potent in their action under ordinary circumstances, are powerless; they remain in the organism as so much inert substance, not even exciting local irritation, on account of the want of sensitiveaess in the parts with which they come in contact. All effectual treatment must be carried out promptly on the appearance of the first signs of disease. * Judging from the evident excitement under which the animal suffers in the early stage of the disease, sedative remedies are most appropriate, and experience proves that the use of such medicines is beneficial. We have generally employed Fleming's tincture of aconite, in doses of ten to fifteen drops, in half a pint of water, repeating the quantity in an hour after the first dose, unless a sedative effect was produced. Some practitioners recommend tincture of opium in doses of two ounces. Laxative medicine is commonly given after calving, without reference to any special symptoms of illness, and the practice is, on the whole, advantageous. When the congestive stage of parturient apoplexy is quite established, stimulants must take the place of sedatives ; but, although some animals recover after lying for several days, it is seldom that the recovery can be attributed to any particular system of treatment.

Prevention of dropping after calving is not only better than cure, but it is also more easy ; but it is not wise to rely on any single specific for this purpose.~General attention to the surroundings of incalf cows, so as to avoid plethora from excessive feeding and want of exercise, will do much ; and, as the time for calving approaches, cows whose conditon is too good should be kept short of food and regularly exercised. A dose of laxative medicine in such cases will also be beneficial. — The Field.