CATTLE. 163 



canal of the teat, stricture, tumors attached to the lining of the teat, or the formation of a 

 false membrane. Great care should be used in the treatment, as irritation may be the result, 

 which will cause inflammation and possible loss of that quarter of the udder. Any obstruc 

 tion like milk stones may be frequently pushed up through the canal of the teat into the 

 milk chamber, where they may remain without harm. For this purpose, a silver probe or 

 knitting needle may be used, first smearing it with sweet oil. It should be inserted with 

 caution to prevent irritation, great care being used not to insert it any farther than the 

 extent of the teat, to avoid injury to the milk gland. The probe should be inserted two or 

 three times a day, always first oiling it, and gradually increasing the size of the probes used 

 until the stricture is removed. 



In case of the formation of a false membrane, a double-edged probe may sometimes be 

 used with benefit, and an elastic rubber bougie inserted, leaving an inch or so in length pro 

 truding outside the teat, to render its removal easy at milking time. Its insertion will not 

 be required for more than a week or ten days, or until the cut membrane is entirely healed. 



Tetanus or Lockjaw. This disease usually arises from some injury, such as a nail 

 puncture or other wound to the foot. It may also be caused by improper food and exposure 

 to cold. It not unfrequently follows castration. The early symptoms of this disease are a 

 loss of appetite and a disinclination to move. The whole body becomes sooner or later 

 affected, the muscles rigid, breathing short, pulse quick and wiry, bowels constipated, urina 

 tion scanty or checked altogether. The animal stands with the hind legs wide apart, nose 

 extended, head and tail elevated, and the back in an unnatural position, sometimes arched 

 and sometimes depressed. But little can be done for this disease, especially when beyond 

 the first stages, other than to give quieting medicine and open the bowels; also relieve the 

 bladder as soon as possible. Keep the animal quiet and in a darkened, comfortable stable, 

 always avoiding a strong light. 



Bathing in warm water and rubbing in a good supply of tincture of arnica soon after 

 the injury is received, will have a tendency to ward off the disease when the foot is injured 

 by a puncture or otherwise. All nervous excitement should be avoided. 



Texas Fever. This disease is also commonly known as Spanish fever, splenic fever, 

 etc. It originated in the low lands of Mexico and Texas, and has been extended to other 

 localities through the introduction of Texas cattle, it being communicated from one herd to 

 another by infected animals being driven over the road, or pastured on lands frequented by 

 other cattle. During the spring and summer, for many years there has been a large shipment 

 of these wild, roving cattle to the Northern States, some being used for beef at once, while 

 others are turned out to pasture for the season, in order to be in better condition for the 

 market in the fall. 



By this means the native stock in these localities has become infected with this disease, 

 which has extended to others, until it has become of no uncommon occurrence in the &quot;Western 

 and Middle States, some cases of it having been known even in New England. This malig 

 nant disease often makes its appearance very suddenly, rarely however breaking out before 

 the middle of August, and continuing until cold weather. It never occurs spontaneously in 

 regions visited by frost, and when carried to this region in summer, will die out soon after 

 frost comes. Texas cattle wintered at the North will not communicate it the following 

 summer. Several of the Western States suffered such heavy loss from this disease by the 

 importation of Texas cattle and their transportation through them, that legislative measures 

 were adopted a few years since to prevent such cattle from being brought in, and which 

 resulted very successfully, the disease at present being much less common than formerly. 



The period of incubation has not been definitely determined by experiment, but it is 

 supposed that from ten to forty days may elapse after the animal has been exposed, before 



