144 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



two or three times a week in winter, or be kept where all the animals can help themselves 

 whenever they wish. When animals are allowed a liberal portion of salt, they will be induced 

 to drink more freely, and when the bowels are in a torpid state, a large amount of water acts 

 as a stimulus to the intestines in a manner similar to an injection of water, and will aid in 

 softening and removing the impacted faeces. 



When it is desirable to produce an action of the bowels promptly by artificial means, vve 

 know of nothing better than an injection of lukewarm water, such an injection being^iseful and 

 effective only in proportion to the amount of water used. A quantity of water sufficient to 

 distend the bowels causes a contraction of the muscular coat of the intestines, which expels 

 whatever they contain. A pint of linseed oil, or from a pint to a quart of melted lard will 

 generally prove a good laxative. Those having the care of cattle should always note the 

 condition of the excretions of these animals when stabled, and remember that it is just as 

 important for the welfare and health of the stock that the refuse matter pass out of the 

 system in the proper time and condition, as that animals should be fed at proper times with 

 nutritious and suitable food. 



Cow-Pox or Yaccine Variola. This is a disease that locates in the udder and teats 

 of the cow, and is similar in many respects to the small-pox in the human family. A cow 

 inoculated with the virus of small-pox will have a disease identical with the cow-pox, while 

 a person inoculated with the virus of cow-pox will have a disease similar to cow-pox, or that 

 may be considered a very mild form of small-pox. To have either form of the disease is a 

 protection against a subsequent attack for a period, sometimes for a few years only, and some 

 times for a lifetime, varying with different individuals in this respect; hence arises the prac 

 tice of inoculation for the prevention of small-pox established by Jenner, which is now 

 recognized by all civilized nations. Cow or kine-pox sometimes seems to make its appearance 

 spontaneously among the cows of a farm or neighborhood, but it is more probable that gen 

 erally it is communicated from one cow to another by the hands of the milkers, the one first 

 infected having it in a mild form, which is not observed until it is given to the others. 



It is a specific blood poison that has a period of incubation of from four to nine days, 

 the first symptoms being a fever for two or three days, after which it breaks out in pimples 

 on the teats, udder, escutcheon, flanks, and sometimes around the vulva, nose, mouth, and 

 eyes. These are of a bluish-red color at first, surrounded by inflammation, and continue to 

 enlarge, forming a distinct vesicle, sometimes attaining even an inch in diameter. After a 

 time a scab forms over it, the virus dries up, and the sores gradually heal. This is usually 

 accomplished in from fifteen to twenty days. This disease very rarely terminates fatally, but 

 while it continues is very troublesome on account of the discharge and inflammation of the 

 udder and teats, the soreness of the teats rendering milking a very painful operation. 



No special treatment is necessary except good nursing, and avoiding taking cold. The 

 bowels should be kept open, and for this purpose it may be well at the commencement to give 

 from half to three-quarters of a pound of Epsom salts, and feed on warm bran mashes. If the 

 ; teats are so sore and swollen as to render milking very painful and cause an injury or break 

 ing of the skin, it will be necessary to draw the milk with a milking tube carefully inserted. 

 This should first be warmed by inserting it in warm water, after which it should be oiled 

 with olive oil and carefully passed up the teat. This should be done four or five times a day 

 when the teats are very sore. W T hen the udder is much swollen it will be well to bathe it in 

 warm water, and apply a warm poultice of equal parts of ground flaxseed and bran. This 

 can be .held in place by means of a broad bandage, with holes for the teats. 



Cystitis. (See INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.) 



Diarrhea. This disease is brought on by too sudden change of diet, especially from 

 dry .to green, succulent food; also by improper food, or that of inferior quality, poisonous 



