PARTURIENT APOPLEXY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2721, 29 December 1882, Page 4

PARTURIENT APOPLEXY.

Parturient apoplexy, more familiarly known as puerperal or milk fever, is a very frequent, and usually fatal disease among dairy stock. The losses which annually occur from the ravages of this malady is a great set-back to the enterprising young farmer whose means are somewhat limited, and who cannot afford to lose a valuable cow. It is therefore of the greatest importance to study this disease in its various phases, in order to he prepared to grapple with it in its incipient or primary stage, or, what appears still more sensible, to take the necessary precautions to prevent, if possible, the frequency of those attacks. The usual victims of puerperal fever, or those which are most susceptible to the disease, are dairy cows in which the secretion of milk is abundant. High feeding, want of sufficient exercise, and neglect in proper ventilation and cleanliness, are the prolific causes ; which facts are suggestive of the propriety of giving more than ordinary attention to the care and management of in-calf stock during the period of gestation, and especially at the time of approaching parturition. The period of life at which the disease is most likely to occur, is at the time of the birth of the third calf, and the season of the year when the disease is most prevalent is during the months of July, August, and September. Especially is this the case with cows which have been running all summer on luxuriant pasture. The sudden change in the system of the cow at the time when the blood is well charged with the elements of nutrition, from her dangerous plethoric condition, is more than nature can endure. The blood, which a short time before was directed to the womb, for the growth of the fcetus in utero, is now directed to the udder, for the sustenance of the young-born calf; and if at this important time the skin and udder should perchance fail to perform their important functions, we should not be surprised if a determination of blood to the brain should be the result, and either congestion of its blood vessels or rupture of their coats, causing extravasation of blood on the brain, thus producing coma and its fatal consequences. We now come to that part of the subject which is so important to all husbandmen, especially stock raisers. We refer to the best means of preventing the disease. We should first endeavour not to encourage the secretion of milk by feeding a rich, succulent diet. Cows which have been running on rich pasture, and are in full-fat condition, should bo removed throe or four weeks before calving, to some barren pasture, and fed on dry food. This will have a tendency to diminish the secretion of milk at or about the time of calving, which is of great importance. If the change from wet to dry food has a tendency to constipate the bowels, a mild aperient may be given. In no case should the cow be milked before calving, unless it becomes an absolute necessity, as by premature milking the secretion of the mammary glands is unduly excited, and a more copious supply of milk encouraged, which should be carefully avoided. It is a well-known fact, that cows which calve with comparative ease, and clean promptly, are the usual victims. Cattle owners should therefore be very watchful of those particular subjects. After the cow has calved, the flow of milk should be encouraged by frequent milking. If the cow is in full fat condition, a cathartic should be administered, and nothing but a mild laxative diet should be fed. Caro should also be taken not to expose her to any sudden change of temperature, or to any undue excitement, until all danger lias passed by. The treatment of a case of parturient apoplexy will very much depend on the stage of the disease in which the animal may bo found. In the early, or primary stage, bleeding from the jugular vein is recommended. However, our chief aim should be to equalise the circulation, and use every moans to divert the blood from the brain to some remote organ, by restoring the action of the skin, bowels, kidneys, mammary glands, &c. Ice may be applied to the head, if necessary ; clothing may be used to restore the action of the skin. If the legs are cold, they should be rubbed with some stimulant and bandaged with red flannel. A cathartic should be administered as early as possible: 11b of Epsom salts, with Joz each of gentian and ginger, dissolved in one pint of hot water, may bo given at one dose, and half the quantity may be repeated every four hours until the bowels are freely evacuated. The action of the cathartic may be promoted by the frequent administration of soap-suds injections. In extreme cases, turpentine enemas have an excellent effect. The flow of milk should be encouraged by frequent manipulations of the udder. Mustard blisters may also be applied along the whole course of the spine—-say every four hours. Stimulants may bo given as soon as practicablebrandy, whiskey, and the carbonate of 1

j ammonia, in small and frequent doses, have I a very desirable effect. It is also very I necessary chat the patient should bo well nursed. A well ventilated stall, with plenty of good bedding, is essential. It will be a good idea to bolster up the head to prevent her from injuring her horns, and at the same time facilitate the flow of blood from the brain.