REPORT ON MURRAIN. 153 



The hyposulphite of soda 12 , and iodide of potassium 13 have 

 been attended with marked benefit ; and chlorine water, solu- 

 tions of sulphate or chloride of zinc 14 to the broken vesicles 

 upon the bag of great service also. 



Abscesses forming in this part must also receive the earliest 

 attention as previously recommended, noticing this difference — 

 that suppuration, or the formation of matter, does not exhibit 

 the usual characteristic signs of tumefaction and swelling in 

 this organ as when taking place among muscles, &c; but, on 

 the contrary, is denoted by a depression, and sense of pitting 

 under the finger ; and mortification is likely to affect the whole 

 or portion, therefore stronger remedies called digestive 15 are 

 needed to promote a free discharge of matter to liberate the 

 internal affected parts. Poultices cannot always be made use of 

 to this organ — particularly under the affection we are consider- 

 ing ; but, if possible, their effects for good will be found appa- 

 rent. 



In the first instance of disease seizing the udder the oint- 

 ments of elder, camphor, mercury, or iodine, will be most bene- 

 ficial ; but not after inflammation has finally become developed. 



As a rule bleeding has not generally been imperatively 

 called for in my practice, the early approach of weakness for- 

 bidding it, depletive effects having been sufficiently accomplished 

 by saline medicine. 



When affections of the alimentary track appear, as indicated 

 by sore cough, profuse salivation, diarrhoea, colic, &c, the 

 hyposulphite of soda, 1B sulphate of magnesia or soda, with nitre, 

 will be required, and demulcent drinks in small quantities. In 

 urgent stages prussic acid, 17 aconite, hyoscyamus or belladonna, 

 laudanum, with oil are highly useful in their various combina- 

 tions. This form of disease with the latter complications con- 

 sidered, is the most fatal, producing death by the effects upon 

 the lungs and nervous system. Our most energetic efforts, 

 therefore, to stay the disease in its progress should be directed 

 to the animal in the early stages, as prostration succeeds with 

 such rapid strides, as to render all our efforts to rouse the 

 dormant powers unavailing. 



Affection of the lungs in cattle as an independent disease, 

 under the denomination of pleuro-pneumonia, is always of a 

 nature to be dreaded, but when dependent upon a combination 

 of causes, and particularly in connection with such states of the 

 system as I have described, the treatment will obviously be of a 

 very hopeless character. 



The vascular system in ruminants eminently favours the 

 process of effusion within the inter-lobular spaces of the lungs, 

 and cavity of the chest, which favours the general prostration 

 already brought about ; and counter treatment under such cir- 



