FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 253 



it would be found, that pursuing the soiling husbandry, 

 feeding the cattle with plenty of rich food, as has been be- 

 fore directed, and keeping them well littered in warm sta- 

 bles, would at once be the most profitable and effectual me- 

 thod of avoiding this disorder. 



In the Spring, our cattle which have been poorly kept 

 through the Winter, are subject to a wasting of the pith 

 of the horn, which is usually called the horn-distemfier. It 

 is sometimes in one horn only, and sometimes in both. 

 The indications of the disease are, coldness of the horn, 

 dullness of the eyes, sluggishness, want of appetite, and a 

 disposition to lie down. When the brain is affected, the 

 animal will toss its head, groan, and exhibit indications of 

 great pain. 



To cure the disease, bore a hole with a small gimblet in 

 the lower side of the horn, about an inch from the head, 

 and the corrupted matter in the horn will run out, If this 

 does not complete the cure, Mr. Deane directs, that the 

 horn have a mixture of rum, honey, myrrh, and aloes 

 thrown into it with a syringe; and that this be repeated 

 till the cure be effected. Probably warm water thrown 

 in would answer just as well; as the essential point seems 

 to be to cleanse the horn of the corrupted matter. 



Another disease, to which our poorly-kept cattle are sub- 

 ject in the Spring, is commonly called the tail- sickness. In 

 this case, the tail becomes hollow and relaxed. The cure is 

 effected, says Mr. Deane, by cuting off a small piece of the 

 tail, which will be attended with a small discharge of blood; 

 or, when the hollow part is near the end, cut a slit in it one 

 or two inches long, and this will effect a cure. 



The gripes or cholic, is mostly troublesome to young 

 cattle. When attacked with it, they lie down and rise up 

 incessantly, and keep striking their horns against any ob- 

 ject that presents. It is attended either with costiveness or 

 scouring. In the former case, they are to be treated with 

 purgatives; and in the latter, with restringents. 



To stop the purging, give them half a pint of olive-oil 

 sweetened with sugar; or a quart of ale mixed with a few 

 drops of laudanum, and two or three ounces of oil of sweet- 

 almonds. To promote purging, giving them five or six 

 drachms of fine Barbadoes aloes, and half a pint of brandy, 

 mixed with two quarts of watergruel, in a lukwarm state. 



These are the directions of The Comfilete Grazier; 9 but 

 it is believed, that other purgatives and restringents would 

 answer as well. In either case, speedy attention to the 

 beast is necessary, in order to prevent an inflammation of 

 the intestines, which must prove fatal. 



The scouring is known in Neat-cattle by the frequent 

 discharge of slimy excrement, loss of apetite, loss of flesh, 



