472 KEPORT OF THE BUKEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTEY. 



Animals so affected can usually be benefited by medicinal treat- 

 ment, but if neglected and the disease is allowed to go on it assumes 

 a form, in which no good can be done by giving remedies. 



Antiseptic saline purgatives are the first remedies indicated, such 

 as 1 to 2 pounds (according to the size of the animal) of Epsom salts 

 (sulphate of magnesia), or Glauber's salts (sulphate of soda). Dis- 

 solve in water; add -j- ounce of ginger and about -j- pint of molasses 

 to the solution, and drench each animal. This may be followed in 

 six hours by a dose of spirits of nitrous aether 1 ounce, and compound 

 tincture gentian 1 ounce, mixed together in half a pint of water and 

 repeated every six hours. If the patient is not greatly depressed or 

 exhausted 1 to 3 drachms of potassic chlorate 'dissolved in water and 

 given three times a day may be used instead. Exercising the ani- 

 mals by driving them, to keep up the circulation and prevent con- 

 gestion, is recommended. 



The local swellings may be fomented with hot water, to which a 

 little ammonia has been added, and painted with compound tincture 

 of iodine in the intervals between the water application. A cloth 

 wet with the following solution may be* placed over the affected 

 parts, viz., iodine, 40 grains; iodide of potassium, 80 grains; water, 

 8 ounces; or this solution may be injected hypodermically into the 

 swellings, usin*g a sufficient quantity to entirely sakirate the con- 

 tents. Scarifying or lancing the skin where swollen is not recom- 

 mended, since it causes large unhealthy sores that do not heal readily 

 and make unsightly blotches. Very fat, plethoric animals should 

 be bled a few quarts of blood from, the jugular vein, but upon weak 

 and exhausted subjects this operation should not be performed. 



Since black leg is so suddenly fatal, precautions against the spread 

 of the disease and against its development are of much greater value 

 to the stock-raiser than any other course of procedure. Sudden ac- 

 cessions of plethora are to be avoided, and a steady gain in condition 

 must be accomplished in localities where the disease is known to pre- 

 vail. Remove cattle from infected pastures, especially those that 

 are low, swampy, and undrained. Provide pure drinking water, and 

 prevent drinking from stagnant pools of surface water. Separate 

 the diseased from the healthy. Burn or bury deeply every diseased 

 carcass, and disinfect sheds, yards, or stables where diseased animals 

 have been kept. Shelter at night and secure shade trees in the pas- 

 tures where there is an extreme difference between the day and night 

 temperature, especially after and during a hot season accompanied 

 with an abundance of rain and dampness. 



Additional preventive measures that have been found successful 

 are to give every animal each day powdered saltpeter and flowers of 

 sulphur, mixed in equal parts, and to insert a set on smeared with 

 tincture of cantharides or oil of turpentine in the dewlap of each. 

 Warm, well- ventilated stables, situated upon high, well-drained 

 ground; are of the first importance in order to maintain good health 

 in a herd; also sound, easily-digested food, given regularly and in 

 proper quantities, should be observed. Tonic medicines, such as 

 preparations of iron, gentian, and quinia, will be found valuable. 



