EEPORT OF THE VETERINARY SUREGON. 315 



of eaxctiiess which the emergency of the hour demands, in 

 view of its progress and the many exposures that have un- 

 doubtedly occurred. But since it came under our inspection, 

 enough has come to hght to assure us of its contagious nature, 

 and i^robahle source of infection. 



It appears that this disease has been hu-king about in West- 

 chester county, N. Y., for several years, and that Stuart 

 l30ught two cows at North Salem, N. Y., some time last fall, 

 from A. B. Mead. These cows were undoubtedly affected 

 with the disease in a latent form, as indicated by the thermom- 

 etric test. Nicholas Van Wart, of New Rochelle, N. Y., 

 l)Ouglit a pair of oxen of Mead, in January, which had re- 

 cently come from Stuart's farm. One of the oxen was taken 

 sick in February, and soon died. In a few weeks. Van Wart 

 noticed that a heifer, which had been with these oxen, was 

 sick with this same disease and. died April 11th. Stuart's 

 cattle were taken sick about the same time that this ox was, 

 thus indicating that the disease in both cases had a common 

 origin, and probably from those cows which Stuart bought of 

 Mead last fall. 



Yet there is strong evidence that the disease has been in 

 Ridgefield for several years. Wesley Slawson lost a cow 

 about a year ago with symptoms, during life and at death, very 

 similar to alj these other fatal cases. And in fact there have 

 quite a number of cattle died in that town within a few years 

 past very mysteriously. 



The indications for medical treatment will of course vary 

 according to the advancement of the disease, and the general 

 conditions of the patient. In the early stages of this malady, 

 where we get an increased temperature of two or three 

 degrees, with an accelerated pulse and a quickened respiration, 

 depletion and other arterial sedatives are always indicated, 

 and will play an important part in the successful treatment of 

 this affection. But in more aggravated cases, when the respi- 

 ration becomes hurried, and the vital powers begin to lag, 

 tonics and generally stimulants should be freely given, in 

 order to keep up the strength until Nature may, possibly, 

 effect a resolution. And yet, many times when every indica- 



