MILK FEVER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4895, 26 October 1925, Page 4

MILK FEVER.

ITS CAUSE AND CURE.

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS.

The frame “milk fever” was really a misnomer, -said Mr Gregory ; a better name was fever after calving. The disease appeared after calving. Its history- was interesting, for it was never heard of until the 19th century. The first case recorded, was in 1808. Its appearance coincided with more liberal feeding and forcing of cattle. It seemed strange that the disease was confined to cattle. A ewe, for inis tan ce, came into milk in the-same way as a cow did, yet ,it was not subject to the disease. The actual cause was unknown, though much investigation had been made. There were,, however, predisposing causes, which had been traced. Generally, the disease appeared amongst the heaviest producers, like Jerseys and Friesians, Very often it appeared in a cottager’s cow which had been exceptionally well fed. Age was another predisposing cause. The disease seldom appeared until after the third or fourth calf, and in most casep occurred after

an easy birth. It was much more likely to occur in cows that were over-fed. Heavy feeding was perhaps the principal predisposing cause. In some cases the cause seemed to be sbme idiosyncracy about the animal itself. It was generally regarded as auto-intoxication of. the system. There were various theories as to .theactual cause of the disease but the most generally accepted was that something hapepned to the udder itself. This Was supported by the fact that treatment of the udder proved effective. The first symptoms could appear from a few hours after, calving till about ten days after. In some cows it was not easy to detect the symptoms, in others they were very apparent at an early stage. Besides external signs of paralysis, tthe interior muscles were also affected, especially those in .the gullet. Frequently ,a drench was resorted to, and in a state of paralysis and unconsciousness the liquid would moist likely go down the windpipe and cause death.by pneumonia. The bowels were aliso paralysed.

Up to 1895, when Schmidt discovered the basis of the present .treatment, nearly all the cattle so. affected died, possibly 95 per cent. Now the mortality was about 15 pel’ cent. Schmidt hit upon the idea bf introducing pen

tasium iodine into the udder, possibly because the drug was one that was largely used. Later someone tried forcing oxygen into the udder, causing inflation. Still, later ordinary air was tried and proved effective. Inflation of the udder , with ordinary air was now the fiipt measure taken. The use of drugs was, however, a very essential, part of the treatment, especially in bad cases, and it was necessary to assist in clearing the bladder, and intestines. There were several theories as to the effect the inflating of the udder had upon the animal. Ofre met with a great deal of variation in cases. Some animals ddi not Jojse consciousness and suffer paralysis as others did..As a preventive, it was a good thing to give a drench before calving and restrict the feed rather than give an over supply.

Replying to a. question, Mr Gregory said that the utmost care should be taken in using a bicycle pump or syphon to see that they were both perfectly clean, lest mammitis should be eaitsed. —Guardian, Leeston.