The trouble may be prevented by proper feeding of the pregnant cow, but there is no cure. A majority of such cases, however, are due to germ infection. Cows affected with contagious abortion may produce affected calves; the afterbirth and navel cord are invaded by the germs in such cases and the calf is improperly nourished in the womb. In other instances, calf cholera is due to filth germs entering the calf’s system by way of the raw navel cord stump at birth, or the mouth when the calf nurses from a manure-contaminated udder.
Prevent infective cases by providing a clean, fresh-bedded, disinfected, whitewashed, sunlighted, ventilated pen for the new-born calf, and immediately wet its navel with a 1⁄500 solution of corrosive sublimate and repeat the application twice daily until the cord dries up, drops off and no raw spot remains. Also wash the hind parts of the cow and her udder with a two per cent solution of coal tar disinfectant before the calf is allowed to suck for the first time and repeat the washing twice daily for at least a week. Isolate affected calves. Bury or burn the dead.
CALF SCOURS.
—See [White Scours].
CANCER.
—Malignant growths, the cause or causes of which are not known; nor can it be said the disease is infectious. While a very serious disease among human beings, it is, fortunately, however, more rare among farm animals. The only treatment worth while is in surgical removal of the growths. If this be done when the tumors are first noticed and when they are small, their further appearance may not result. It is a good plan, if the growths persist in presenting themselves, to eliminate the affected animal from the herd. With cattle, it is possible to prepare them for market long before any cancer growths may reappear, and in this way the full market value may be secured with no danger when consumed.
CAPPED ELBOW.
—Frequently horses, in lying down, press the foot or the shoe against the elbow. This, in time, causes inflammation and ends in a tumor or shoe boil. The diseased condition is difficult to repair, as there is little flesh or muscle at the joint of the elbow where the trouble starts. Treatment consists of opening the boil and allowing the fluid to escape. In case the swelling is hot and painful, an application of lead acetate will prove comforting and helpful. In preparing the lotion, use 2 tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead to a quart of water. There is no objection to injecting a little of this into the opening. An injection of a little tincture of iodine once a day into the opening is desirable also. In treating cases of this kind, it is a good practice to wrap about the horse’s foot a pad of straw or hay for cushioning the foot. This prevents the wound from being further bruised, otherwise the cure may be greatly delayed, if not indefinitely postponed.
A VICTIM OF TUBERCULOSIS