116 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



comes established. Other causes are: direct injuries, as punc- 

 tured wounds and kicks, cracked heels, etc. 



Symptoms. The disease usually begins with a chill, rise in 

 temperature, laboured breathing, and in a very short time fol- 

 lowed by lameness in one leg and swelling on the inside of the 

 thigh. The swelling gradually surrounds the whole limb, con- 

 tinues on downward until it reaches the foot, often causing the 

 animal to hold the limb up from the ground. The leg is very 

 tender to the touch, and the animal has great difficulty in mov- 

 ing it about. The limb is also found to be hot, the countenance 

 bears a very anxious expression, and the animal usually stands. 

 Constipation is usually present and the urine decreased in quan- 

 tity and heightened in color. Lymphangitis is liable to termi- 

 nate in "big leg" if not properly treated. 



Treatment. If the proper treatment is adopted at the begin- 

 ning of the disease and properly carried out, it can be easily and 

 successfully treated. The first thing to be done is to give a good 

 purgative, as the following: 



Powdered Barbadoes aloes 10 drams. 



Powdered ginger 2 drams. 



Powdered nux vomica 1 dram. 



Nitrate of potash 3 drams. 



Water 1 pint. 



Mix, and shake \vell together, and give as a drench. 



Give 15 drops of tincture of aconite in one-half pint of cold 

 water every four hours as a drench until the fever is checked. 

 Feed sparingly on light food, as bran, grass, fodder, etc. Don't 

 give any grain for a few days. Give 2 drams of nitrate of potassium 

 in feed or drinking water morning and night for a week. Begin 

 bathing the affected leg at once with right warm water. Wrap a 



