=PLACENTA.=--The covering of the fetus, commonly called the afterbirth. As a rule, this comes away with the birth of the offspring. Occasionally in the cow it remains attached to the walls of the uterus, and if not removed will cause trouble, if not sickness and death. Soon after the birth of the calf, if the afterbirth remains, decomposition sets in and as a result the system is more or less poisoned. The first symptoms observed are the offensive odor, the reddish discharge and the decrease in the milk flow.
If the afterbirth does not come away of itself, assistance is necessary. Do this during the first or second day, or the third day at the latest. To remove the afterbirth, tie up the cow and fasten her in a way that she cannot jump around. Now introduce the hand and arm, after careful washing and disinfecting and oiling, into the uterus and gradually and gently break the buttons or attachments from the walls of the uterus with the fingers. With patience these will come away and the whole membrane be removed. An occasional injection is advisable. Use some good disinfectant in the water, flush out thoroughly.
=PLEURISY.=--This disease occurs in the chest cavity and is found inside the ribs and over the lungs. It is caused very much in the same way as inflammation of the lungs, like exposure to cold, standing in a draft, and cooling when warm. Some injury to the ribs may also cause the trouble.
In the early stages the animal is noticed to shiver, the pulse is quick and strong, and there is great pain. The breath is heavy, and this is noticed as far back as the flanks. While the animal may lie down, its disposition is to stand up most of the time. There is an inclination to cough, but this is suppressed, because of the pain occasioned by it; therefore the cough really ends in a groan rather than in a normal cough. The extremities of the body become cold.
The best treatment endeavors to prevent the disease from developing. Do just as you would in a case of inflammation of the lungs. Mustard plasters for the chest on each side are good. Keep the body well covered, including the legs and neck; have good ventilation in the stable, but keep the patient out of any draft.
As soon as the disease is noticed, mix the following in a pint of cold water, and give as a drench: Ten drops of aconite, a half teaspoonful of belladonna and two tablespoonfuls of laudanum. These should be given every two hours until the pain subsides. If the animal seems to be weak, and needs a stimulant, give 4 tablespoonfuls of spirits of niter and a half glass of whiskey. This may be given in a pint of cold water mixed with the gruel and given as a drench three or four times a day.