60 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



possess. It enables us to determine the exact degree of internal 

 heat, which is an important s3'mptom at an early stage of the 

 malady. The elevation of temperature indicates the severity 

 of an attack, and this will vary from 100°, the normal standard, 

 to 108° in fatal cases. And the ticks, which are zoologically 

 known as the Ixodes bovis, are also important in doubtful cases. 

 Their presence seems as a label to tell us either from whence 

 the creatures came or the exposure they have encountered. 

 Hence, when we find a sick animal that shows a high fever- 

 heat, and is infected with ticks, we can be almost sure, even 

 though in the incipient stage, that it is the Texan plague. 

 And this will soon be corroborated by the appearance of 

 bloody water and other characteristic symptoms. 



As this afiection is so very fatal in the majority of cases, it 

 would seem that little could be done in the way of treatment 

 to save an animal in the active stage of the disease. Various 

 plans of medication have been resorted to, but thus far with 

 questionable results. No specific medicines, however ardently 

 claimed or faithfully administered, have yet been found to stay 

 its ravages in every case, and as this is a constitutional malady, 

 eliminatives and antiseptics would naturally seem to be called 

 for, and such medicines, like carbolic acid and its various 

 salts, have been used in all stagesr, and it is worthy of further 

 experimentation. ' Common salt is believed to exert a favor- 

 able effect, when given freely to all cattle that have been 

 exposed in the line of transportation, especially when they 

 have been deprived of drink for several days, as is often the 

 case in the shipment of Western stock to our market. In the 

 majority of cases cathartics are specially indicated, and when 

 given early have operated favorably, and here it should be 

 remembered that salts are the most appropriate physic for 

 cattle in this and other febrile affections, and should be given 

 in large doses of a pound or more. No use to give a saline 

 cathartic to cattle sparingly ; you will always be disappointed 

 with the results, even though a valuable agent in this respect. 

 As soon, therefore, as you observe an animal to be affected, 

 you should open the bowels at once by the free use of epsom 

 salts, and continue this until all costiveness is overcome. 



The diuretics are a very important class of remedies to be 

 used, and should be given early. Saltpetre, acetate of potash, 



