Medical Treatment.—The afterbirth should not be pulled away by force, as it may tear, leaving small portions unremoved that perhaps would result in Inflammation of the Womb or Whites. To remove the afterbirth insert the hand and carefully detach it from its attachments, being very careful that the cotyledons are not torn off. After this has been carefully removed, wash out the womb with Carbolic Acid solution about two and one-half per cent. An instrument can be made for this purpose very easily from a clean piece of hose about four feet long and an ordinary funnel. Sometimes it is necessary to give physics, as Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams. Place in a gelatin capsule and give with a capsule gun.
In addition to the above, stimulants are also advisable such as powdered Nux Vomica, powdered Capsicum, powdered Ginger, powdered Nitrate of Potash, equal parts four ounces. Make twenty-four capsules and give one capsule three times a day.
RHEUMATISM.
Cause.—Exposure, especially when the animal is permitted to lie on cold damp soils or floors. Another common cause is an animal exposed to cold drafts after perspiring or weakened after severe physical exercise.
Symptom.—Stiffness when walking, variable appetite, constipation, hair unthrifty looking. Passage of urine is scant and of an amber color, usually slight elevation in temperature and the animal lies down a great part of the time. There are two forms of rheumatism—muscular and articular. The former affects the muscles of the body, while the latter affects the joints. There will be swellings that are tender on pressure, which may shift to different parts of the body.
Treatment.—Place the animal in warm dry quarters with a sufficient quantity of clean bedding. Feed foods that are easily digested, as wheat bran mashes and steamed rolled oats and vegetables. Keep pure, cold water within the animal’s reach at all times. The following prescription has been found very effective in the treatment of this disease: Sodium Salicylate, six ounces; Nux Vomica, two ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, two ounces; Nitrate of Potash, two ounces. Mix and make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule three times daily with capsule gun. If the bowels are constipated give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, three drams. Place in capsule and give with capsule gun. When the joints or muscles become swollen and inflamed, the following liniment will be found very effective in reducing the swellings: Aqua Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Oil of Turpentine, three ounces; Sweet Oil, six ounces. Mix and apply by rubbing in well two or three times a day.
RINGWORM.
Cause.—Due to a vegetable parasite. It affects the hair and the outer layer of skin and is highly infectious, being transmitted from one animal to another.
Symptoms.—The disease usually appears in the form of circular patches of the skin, which soon become denuded of hair. Sometimes a white sticky discharge and the formation of scaly, brittle crusts on the patches appear, silvery gray in color. They are generally confined to the head and neck. It is a common disease among young cattle in the Winter and Spring. This disease is attended with more or less itching and is communicable to man.
Treatment.—Remove the scabs or crusts with soap and warm water. However, the surface of the body should be well dried after washing each time. Apply Tincture of Iodine with a camel-hair brush to the spots denuded of hair. It is quite necessary that the barn and rubbing posts be disinfected by spraying or washing them with a twenty-five per cent solution of Carbolic Acid.