THE EMIGRANT'S HAND-BOOK. 179 



There is a disease, called by some the Blood ; the 

 Blood- Striking ; the Quarter Evil, etc., which is most 

 terrible in its effects on horned cattle like that of vio- 

 lent poisoning. It is almost impossible to cure it ; and 

 we hardly think it worth while to state its symptoms and 

 the means used to try to cure it. 



THE BLAIN. 



This is a frequent disease. The animal appears dull 

 and low spirited. Its eyes red, with tears in them. The 

 eyes swell a little. The principal symptom, however, is, 

 "blisters under the tongue, or at the back part of the mouth ; 

 the pulse is quicker than usual,* and the bowels are con- 

 fined. The flanks heave a little, usually. If the beast 

 has had the disease some time, the saliva flows freely, 

 often mixed with bloody, offensive matter. The animal 

 becomes much reduced in flesh and strength ; and is in 

 danger of dying from the enlargement of the tongue. 



CURE. The first thing to be done, is to cut the bladders 

 under and along the side of the tongue. This will relieve 

 the beast materially. 



If there be much fever, take four or five quarts of 

 blood, and give the following purge : 



Epsom salts, one pound. 



Powdered caraway seeds, half an ounce. 



Dissolved in a quart of warm gruel. 



If the fever continues pretty severe, the above medicine 

 may be given once or twice in twenty-four hours, till it 

 subsides. 



The mouth should be washed with equal parts of myrrh 

 and water ; or a. decoction of green tea, so as to heal the 



* The pulse of cattle may be the most readily felt at the back part of the lower 

 jaw, where the artery comes down the channel between the jaws, and passes over 

 the edge of the jaw bone. The natural pulse of a full grown ox is about fifty, to 

 fifty-five beats in a minute ; but is quicker in milch sow*. 



