FARMING COLUMN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 345, 5 October 1932, Page 4

FARMING COLUMN

CATTLE DiSEASES MATAMATA FARMERS ADDRESS ON TREATMENT AND CONTROL. PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS. There 'was an attendance of about 300 farmers and others at Bedford Park, Matamata, recently, when Messrs. L. (R. Melndoe and 0. J. Thedens g&ve addresses and demonstrations on diseases and reproduetive organs of dairy cattle. Operation for Bloat. In referring to bloat, the speaker said that the operation was a simple one, and the trocar was inserted .on the left side at a spot a hand-span from the hip-bone. The instrument was then inserted downwards and forweCFcIs in a line with the oif-shoulder. Cause of Red Water. Referring to red water, Mr. Melndoe stated that rape and turnips were the most common eauses of red water. The reason was that the large amount of water which- was swallowed with these foods was too great for the animal heat to absorb, hence it was forced through the lining of the stomaeh. As much as six gallons had been taken from an affected eow. It could be understood that frozen roots, which numbed the fingers, would have a bad effect on a cow. To obviate trouble, roots should always be sliced or pulped and f ed with hay. Butcher's brine was a very efficacious cure. Dnenching Cattle. Speaking on drenching cattle, the lecturer emphasised that drench.es should be given hefore and not after calving. From ten days to within three days of calving was a safe period. Stomaeh Troubles. In dealing with the stomachs of a cow, the speaker said that trouble in the third stomaeh, or bible, was the cause of 60 per cent. of deaths in dairy cattle. The first sign of tronble in this stomaeh was weakeness across-. the loins, the beast staggering. The trouble usually occurred after calving. The cause was dry food making the leaves of this stomaeh adhere together and preventing thsm performing their natural office of masticating the food. In curing this ailment an oil drench was the first neeessity to soften the leaves. The intestines should be fiusbed out from behind with soapy water before the oil was given, and then half a gallon of- oil given as a drench. Clive oil was best, then p>araffin oil or linseed oil. In dreching an animal those present were warned not to hold the tongue or interfere -with the lower jaw of the animal. Symptoms of this trouble was soreness at the top of the shoulders on right side, and forwards towards the heart there would be hardness and soreness. About four gallons of soapy water should be used at a temperature of about 110 degrees.