FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 257 



House the beast, keep it warm, and if it be very feverish, 

 bleed it pretty freely, and let its drink be warm, and have 

 some nitre dissolved in it. Expose it to the air, at first, in 

 the middle of pleasant days, when recovering. 



Cattle are sometimes poisoned by eating poisonous plants, 

 or by being bit with Mad dog 1 -, Sec. In the latter case, if 

 the wounded part be cut away shortly after the bite, and 

 then be kept open for some time, it is, perhaps, the only 

 effectual remedy. Dr Grouse's prescription for curing the 

 bite of Mad-dogs, as made public in pursuance of a law of 

 this State, is believed by many to be vfft ctua), and is cer- 

 tainly worth the trial. It is believed, that any medicine 

 which is very strongly anti-spasmodic, if given plentifully, 

 and in proper season, will counteract the effects of the bite 

 of mad animals. 



For the bite of Rattlesnakes and most other vipers, a 

 plentiful dose, and repeated when necessary, of olive-oil, 

 has been found effectual, in most cases. 



Other diseases of Neat-cattle, it may not be amiss to 

 mention, which have, at times, prevailed in particular pla- 

 ces. Some years since, a very fatal disease, which princi- 

 pally attacked Calves in the Fall, and yearlings in May and 

 June, and sometimes older cattle, prevailed in Connecticut. 

 It was called the mortification. Those in the best condition 

 were most liable to it. 



Its symptoms were, an aversion to move, a swelling, most 

 commonly in the region of the kidney, but sometimes in 

 the shoulder, leg, flank, or side, 8cc. ; and in a short time 

 the beast died with little pain, but with a very foeted smell. 

 On examining the swellings, they were found to contain a 

 jelly and black blood. The cause was ascribed to fulness 

 of habit, and a too-sudden change from indifferent pastures 

 into such as were very rich. Bleeding was recommended 

 as a preventive. No cure was discovered. 



A disease, something similar to the above, prevailed, 

 about sixty years since, in the north of England, which was 

 commonly called the black quarter. Bleeding was found a 

 preventive; but in very few instances was a cure effected, 

 after the beast was seized with the disorder. This was 

 ascribed to too much succulent food, when given to beasts 

 of full habit. 



It would seem, generally, that cattle in a plethoric state, 

 when overfed with rich food, or when too suddenly surfeited 

 with it, are suddenly indisposed, and carried off before re- 

 lief can be given. There are, however, epidemics among 

 cattle, as well as among Men, the precise causes of whicli 

 may oftentimes be difficult to ascertain. Generally speak- 

 ing, it is believed, that among the horned race, either plen- 

 tiful bleeding, or purging, or both, will be found a prevent- 



