Part 21 (2/2)

_Aperient for Puerperal Fever._

Roch.e.l.le salts, 4 ounces.

Manna, 2 ounces.

Extract of b.u.t.ternut, half an ounce.

Dissolve in boiling water, 3 quarts.

To be given at a dose.

By the aid of one or more of the following drinks, the aperient will generally operate:--

Give a bountiful supply of hyssop tea, sweetened with honey. Keep the surface warm.

Suppose the secretion of milk to be arrested; then apply warm fomentations to the udder.

Suppose the bowels to be torpid; then use injections of soap-suds and salt.

Suppose the animal to be in poor condition; then give the following:--

Powdered balmony or gentian, 1 ounce.

Golden seal, 1 ounce.

Flour gruel, 1 gallon.

To be given in quart doses, every four hours.

Suppose the bowels to be distended with gas; then give the following:--

Powdered caraways, 1 ounce.

a.s.safoetida, 1 tea-spoonful.

Boiling water, 2 quarts.

To be given at a dose.

Any of the above preparations may be repeated, as circ.u.mstances seem to require. Yet it must be borne in mind that we are apt to do too much, and that the province of the good physician is ”to know when to do nothing.” The following case from Mr. Youatt's work ill.u.s.trates this fact:--

”A very singular variety of milk fever has already been hinted at. The cow is down, but there is apparently nothing more the matter with her than that she is unable to rise; she eats and drinks, and ruminates as usual, and the evacuations are scarcely altered. In this state she continues from ten days to a fortnight, and then she gets up well.” Yes, and many thousands more would ”get up well,” if they were only let alone. Nature requires a.s.sistance sometimes; hence the need of doctors and nurses. All, however, that is required of the doctor to do is, just to attend to the calls of nature,--whose servant he is,--and bring her what she wants to use in her own way. The nearer the remedies partake or consist of air, water, warmth, and food, the more sure and certain are they to do good.

If a cow, in high condition, has just calved, appears restless, becomes irritable, the eye and tongue protruding, and a total suspension of milk takes place, we may conclude that there is danger of puerperal fever. No time should be lost: the aperient must be given immediately; warm injections must be thrown into the r.e.c.t.u.m, and the teats must be industriously drawn, to solicit the secretion of milk. In this case, all food should be withheld: ”starve a fever” suits this case exactly.

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