CATTLE. 143 



From the beginning of the attack the animal should be rubbed well with flannel cloths, 

 or brushes, such friction often giving great relief. If the pain continues very acute, rub 

 mustard paste made of ground mustard, mixed with vinegar, over the under part of the body. 

 Feed for several days, with care, on warm mashes and other soft diet, avoiding food of any 

 kind that will have a tendency to irritate the bowels. 



Congestion of the Brain. The usual cause of this disease is a redundancy of blood 

 in the system, the result of overfeeding, or a sudden change from a poor to a rich diet. It is 

 in some instances caused by intense heat; oxen overworked in excessively hot weather will 

 be liable to its attack. This disease is of comparatively rare occurrence. The symptoms are 

 a peculiar wildness and anxiety in the animal s looks, attended with a nervous restlessness, 

 frequent starting and groaning as though in great pain, suddenly lying down, and quickly 

 rising to its feet again. The respiration is slow and labored, there being intervals when breath 

 ing seems to be entirely suspended. The movements of the patient are apparently attended 

 with delirium. Sometimes there will be a fiery and frenzied look in the eye, followed by 

 intervals of extreme languor and stupor; again the turf will be torn up by the feet, tossing it 

 with the horns in the air, the whole physical system being under intense excitement. With 

 these symptoms, lethargy eventually follows. When sudden frenzy is soon followed by 

 lethargy, the case may be regarded as hopeless; but should there be a gradual subsidence, 

 the pulse remaining normal, the animal may be regarded as on the road to recovery. Post 

 mortem examinations of animals that have died of this disease uniformly exhibit an effusion 

 of blood in the cavities of the brain, together with inflammation of the membranes of the 

 brain, and a general congestion of the blood vessels. 



There should always be prompt action in this disease. Bleeding from the jugular vein 

 or temporal artery in quantity not less than two quarts for an ordinary ox or cow, will gen 

 erally prove beneficial, but if the symptoms do not abate, this may be repeated a few hours 

 later. After the bleeding, a blister applied to the top of the head, at the same time rubbing 

 the sides of the neck with a mixture of cantharides and oil of turpentine, will have a tendency 

 to relieve the brain. If the animal is constipated, relieve the bowels by injections and a mild 

 dose of physic, such as Epsom salts, or linseed oil. 



Constipation. This is often the leading cause of many other diseases, since when 

 long-continued it deranges the whole functions of the animal system. It is also the symptom 

 of other diseases, and especially those of the liver. Farmers are generally too careless in 

 observing the condition of their cattle in this respect, especially when they are confined in 

 stables with little or no exercise, and fed mainly upon dry food. Cattle that have free range 

 of pastures, or where soiling is practiced, and consequently are fed upon green food princi 

 pally, generally require no attention in this respect. But when confined in stables, and fed 

 upon dry feed, or in case of a sudden change from green to dry diet, there will be a tendency 

 to a constipated condition of the bowels, which may require attention. 



Constipation exists when there is not sufficient moisture in the stomach and bowels to 

 maintain their healthy action, consequently the excrement will be retained for a longer time 

 in the bowels, and be unnaturally compact and hard. This condition is caused or aggravated 

 by too much dry food, an insufficient amount of water, and too little exercise. When long- 

 continued, it is liable to terminate in inflammation of the bowels, colic, fever, etc., and is 

 always an indication of some derangement of the system in man or beast. To correct this 

 evil is a very easy and simple thing to be accomplished in the hands of an intelligent, ingenious 

 person, who has a good amount of general knowledge and tact as a basis to work upon. The 

 judicious use of bran, corn meal, ground oats, oil cake, roots, especially potatoes, and other 

 laxative food, together with a plenty of pure water, will insure a perfect condition of the 

 bowels, and continue to maintain this condition. Salt is also a great aid, and should be given 

 VOL. II 9. 



