DYSENTERY 461 



scouring-rot, it will manifest symptoms of suffering 

 much pain. When this is the case, it may be inferred 

 that the animal has become unsound, or tainted, and 

 the chances against his recovery are exceedingly small. 

 The excrements in the advanced stage are of a dark 

 colour, with a frothy appearance, and the smell 

 exceedingly offensive. 



CAUSES. Exposure to cold and long-continued 

 rain, especially if the animal has been previously over- 

 heated and overdriven ; also drinking cold water when 

 warm. Want of a nutritive diet in milch-cows fre- 

 quently induces this disease, which is one of the most 

 difficult to cure. 



REMEDIES. A great variety of prescriptions have 

 been given for the cure of this complaint, and some 

 have been found very efficacious in some cases, which 

 have no effect whatever in others. One of the points 

 to be chiefly attended to, is to take the affected animal 

 home to the straw-yard or shed, and subject it to dry 

 feeding, which in some cases effects a cure without 

 medical treatment. The following prescription has 

 been found of much utility ; it is one of Mr Elaine's : 



Ipecacuanha I ounce, 



Nux vomica ij drachm, 



Galls, finely powdered . . J ounce, 



Alum 2 drachms, 



White vitrol .... 20 grains ; 



to be well incorporated in a quart of boiling water. 

 The following recipe has been highly recommended : 



Alum ..... J ounce, 



Kino ..... 2 drachms, 



Ginger, powdered i drachm, 



Castile soap, moistened in water 2 drachms, 



Powdered oak-bark . . J ounce ; 



to be made into a ball, with a sufficient quantity of 

 treacle. 



