MODERN FARRIER. 325 



these remedies could produce no effect ; and it 

 would be much better to kill the animal at once, 

 tlian be at the expence of time, labour, and medi- 

 cines, in attempting to effect a hopeless cure. 



15. Dysentery. 







Symptoms. — This disorder is sometimes called the 

 hloochj ray. It is accompanied by an inflammatory 

 fever and griping pains. The discharge of dung is 

 frequent, and has an offensive smell, and is often 

 mixed with the mucus, or natural lining, of the 

 bowels. It very much resembles the disease called 

 molten grease in horses. 



Causes. — This disease generally attacks cattle in 

 good condition that have been overdriven. 



Cure. — The animal should be bled freely, and 

 take afterward a pint of castor oil. If the animal 

 does not appear relieved in some degree, in six 

 hours, the pulse continuing quick, and the under 

 surface of the eyelid unusually red, the bleeding is 

 to be repeated. When the symptoms have been 

 subdued, great weakness will remain ; and every 

 thing must be done to support the animal's strength. 

 For this purpose, good oatmeal gruel, malt mashes, 

 or gruel made with wheat flour, may be given freely. 

 If the discharge be very considerable, bleeding 

 would be improper : but still the castor oil is gene- 

 rally necessary ; and when it cannot be readily pro- 

 cured, sweet oil or melted lard may be substituted. 

 Arrow root gruel is an excellent drink in this dis- 

 order. Should the disease continue after the above 

 method has been tried, give half an ounce, or six 

 drachms, of tincture of opium, in arrow root gruel. 

 Calves, at the time of weaning, if improperly ma- 

 naged, are liable to a severe diarrhoea, which, if 

 neglected, often proves dangerous. The best re- 

 medy for this complaint is flour-milk gruel, with a 

 little prepared chalk ; in obstinate cases, about one 



