CATTLE. 155 



and a species of bird louse, Trichodectes, which has no sucking tube, but strong biting jaws. 

 The above cuts represent these parasites considerably magnified. Besides these, there is a 

 kind of ox tick that is quite troublesome in some sections during certain seasons, and which 

 are more common on Texas cattle than others. 



Since the prevention of parasites is much more easy than their extermination when 

 once they have made their appearance, every precaution should be used, and a sharp look out 

 kept for them ; all the more so if stock are for any reason a little out of condition. Stock 

 that are kept well fed and in a thriving condition are less liable to vermin of any kind than 

 those but indifferently cared for, while vermin are very apt to be found in ill-kept, filthy 

 stables. Never permit fowls to roost in stables or sheds near or in which horses or cattle are 

 kept, as lice from the former may be communicated to the latter very readily. Almost any 

 kind of grease is destructive to this species of vermin, lard being frequently used for this 

 purpose. 



This may be applied along the spine and* on the neck, shoulders, and sides of the body, 

 being well rubbed into the coat. The lard should be applied warm, and a warm pleasant day 

 be selected for the treatment. It is a good plan to mix one-third quantity of common 

 kerosene oil with the lard. This causes it to spread better and penetrate into all the wrinkles 

 of the skin, and such hiding places as lice are apt to collect; besides kerosene is very 

 destructive to vermin. If kerosene is used alone for this purpose, it will irritate the skin and 

 cause the hair to come off badly. Cattle thus treated will look in a few days as though they 

 they had been scalded in patches. A little sulphur is also good to mix with the lard, 

 especially if the skin is scurfy. Three parts of linseed oil and one of kerosene, well mixed, 

 is also a good remedy for exterminating lice. 



This can be put into a large spring-bottomed oil can, and easily applied by moving the 

 point along close to the skin, and springing the point at each move. If the first application 

 does not prove effectual, a second will generally complete the work. Tobacco steeped two or 

 three hours in water, in the proportion of two pounds of tobacco to from five to four gallons 

 of water, is also a good remedy. Apply thoroughly with a sponge. An infusion of quassia, 

 made by steeping quassia chips, may also be applied in the same manner with great effect. 



LOSS of Cud. In many of the diseases of cattle, the functions of digestion become 

 more or less disturbed, and the act of regurgitation and remastication or &quot;chewing of the 

 cud,&quot; becomes temporarily suspended, which condition is commonly termed &quot;loss of cud.&quot; 

 This is sometimes brought on by the animal eating too much of food to which it is not 

 accustomed, producing indigestion. It may* be caused by any disease of the stomach, or 

 liver, and is sometimes the result of a sympathetic fever setting in after a surgical operation, 

 or a bad wound. There is, therefore, strictly speaking, no such disease as &quot;loss of cud,&quot; 

 but the term denotes a condition of the system brought on by various causes. The 

 treatment must necessarily vary with the nature of the disease which caused the impaired 

 digestion. 



When the disease producing this condition is known, the cause should be removed by 

 giving remedies for that specific disease. If there is no apparent cause, a moderate laxative, 

 such as a pint of raw linseed oil or melted lard, a medium dose of salts is to be recommended, 

 together with careful attention to diet and careful nursing. The following in such cases is a 

 very good medicine to be given twice a day in a quart of warm stock ale: Powdered gentian, 

 two ounces; powdered ginger, one ounce; sulphur, two ounces; powdered sulphate of iron, 

 one-half ounce; mix. When surfeiting seems to be the only cause, simply withholding the 

 food entirely, or in part, until the system can regulate itself, will usually bring about the 

 proper conditions. 



The animal in all cases should have all the pure water it will drink, with free access 

 to salt. Warm bran mashes are good, especially where a constipated condition of the 



