101 



is the highest degree of disease in the digestive sys- 

 tem, in which the muscular powers of the stomachs 

 have been so exhausted, that they are incapable of 

 contracting upon the food taken in by the animal; for 

 although trom habit the beast may continue to feed, 

 the appetite is so depraved, that it no longer chooses 

 its food, but eats, with apparent equal relish, or rath- 

 er indifference, the coarsest and most indigestive food. 

 It mostly attacks animals that have been poorly fed in 

 the winter, and are in the spring turned into a fertile 

 pasture. 



Symptoms. — Heaviness of the head, and constant 

 disposition to sleepiness, the animal sometimes resting 

 its head upon or against a gate or hedge, and appear- 

 ing almost insensible; and if it attempts to walk, it 

 reels or staggers. 

 *Cure. — The first thing necessary is to give the fol- 

 lowing drench, No. 9, and a clyster of salt and wa- 

 ter, No. 10, must then be thrown up, and three or 

 four quarts of blood taken away: 



RECIPE No. 9. — Aloes, 6 drachms; common salt, 8 otmces; 

 powdered mustai-d, one ounce ; brandy or other spu'its, half a gill ; 

 Mix in warm water, and add the spirits, and give immediately. 



The following clyster will also be necessary for ex- 

 pelling any hardened excrement which may be lodged 

 in the bowels: 



No. 10. — Common salt, 8 ounces, and warm water, 4 quarts. 



If the purgative drench does not act in the course 

 of twenty-four hours, give about half the same quan- 

 tity every eight hours, until the effect be produced ; 

 and if the complaint does not subside under the united 

 treatment of purgatives, clyster and bleeding, each 

 repeated at intervals, let the following be given to 

 act upon the kidneys, and thereby divert the blood 

 from the head : 



RECIPE No. 11. — Powdered Rosin, 2 ounces ; powdered nitre, 

 ginger, anisseed, and cream of tartar, 1 ounce each; and molasses, 

 1 pint. Mix, and give it in a quart of ale or gruel. Repeat tho 

 same, if necessary, after an interval of two days. 



LOSS OF THE CUD. 

 Rumination, or the chewing of the cud, is, as we 

 feave before stated, that motion of the rumen, or first 



