454 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



of nourishment, especially in cows that are regularly milked, 

 will often cause the scouring rot. 



Symptoms. In this complaint, farmers frequently lose several 

 of their cattle in a season ; owing to which it has received the 

 name of the scouring rot. When the purging has been of long 

 continuance, a- general weakness is produced, accompanied with 

 a loss of flesh. The skin hangs loose about the body; some- 

 times the animal appears hide-bound; the hair turns sandy, or 

 of a greyish color; the eyes grow pale; the pulse is weak and 

 irregular; the excrements thin and slimy, frequently changing 

 color, particularly in the early stages of the disease; but in the 

 further stages of the complaint, the dung appears like half-chewed 

 food ; the food appearing to pass through the bowels without 

 undergoing the process of digestion. Some writers state, that 

 when animals have been long affected by the scouring rot, they 

 feel a considerable degree of distress and pain when grasped on 

 each side of the back bone, just behind the shoulders; and this 

 is considered as a certain sign that the beast has become unsound 

 from the scouring rot. 



Cure. In the cure of this complaint in cattle, a variety of 

 remedies have been proposed. Mr. Lawrence recommends, that 

 as soon as the disease is apparent, the cattle should be taken to 

 the home fold, and put on dry food, which will generally super- 

 sede the necessity of medicine. The remedy, which Mr. Elaine 

 seems chiefly to rely on, is the following decoction : 



Galls, ....... half an ounce, 



Nux vomica, ..... 1 drachm and a half, 



Ipecacuanha, . . . . . .1 ounce, 



White vitriol 20 grains, 



Alum, . . . . . . .2 drachms. 



In a quart of water boiled to a pint. 



This receipt may probably appear too complex, and its ingred- 

 ients too numerous. The following will be found of service : 



Ginger, . . . . . . . .1 drachm. 



Kino, 2 drachms, 



Castile soap, softened with water, , . . .2 drachms, 



Alum, ........ half an ounce. 



Powder of oak bark, sufficient to make a ball. 



"Where the scouring has continued for any length of time, the 

 bowels must be extremely sore and tender. In such cases, 

 mucilaginous or oily substances would be useful, and they should 

 be given frequently, both by the mouth and by way of clyster. 



