I 7 2 



CATTLE— DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 



marshy grounds, and pastures situated by 

 the side of woods. 



It is a disorder of high condition and 

 over-feeding. The times of the year and 

 the character of the cattle prove this. It 

 occurs in the latter part of the spring, 

 Avhen the grass is most luxuriant and nutri- 

 tive, and in the autumn, when we have the 

 second flush of grass; and the animals 

 attacked are those principally that are 

 undergoing the process of fattening, and 

 that have somewhat too suddenly been 

 removed from scanty pasturage and low 

 feeding to a profusion of herbage, and 

 that of a nutritious and stimulating kind. 

 The disease sometimes occurs when the 

 cattle have been moved from one pas- 

 turage to another on the same farm; but 

 more so when they have been brought 

 from poor land, at a distance, to a richer 

 soil. There are in the latter case two 

 preparatory causes — the previous poverty, 

 and the fatigue and exhaustion of the 

 journey. 



This disease rarely admits of cure, but 

 fortunately it may in general be prevented. 

 If the malady is discovered as soon as it 

 makes its appearance, the beast should be 

 immediately housed, and then from four 

 to eight quarts of blood taken away, ac- 

 cording to the age and size. Two hours 

 after bleeding give the Purging Drink 

 No. 2 which will be found of a proper 

 strength for young cattle from the age of 

 one two years. 



The bleeding should be repeated in 

 three or four hours, if the animal is not 

 materially relieved ; and a third bleeding 

 must follow the second, if the fever is 

 unabated. There must be no child's play 

 here ; the disease must be knocked down 

 at once, or it will inevitably destroy the 

 beast. The physic likewise must be re- 

 peated until it has had its full effect. 



As soon as the bowels are well opened 

 the Fever Drink, No. i, should be admin- 

 istered, and repeated morning, noon and 

 night, all food except a little mash being 

 removed. 



At the first appearance of the disease 

 the part principally affected should be fo- 

 mented several times in the course of the 

 day with hot water, and for at least an 

 hour each time. For this purpose there 

 should be two or three large pieces of 

 flannel in the water, that after one of 

 ►them has been applied thoroughly hot 



and dripping to the part affected, another 

 equally hot may be ready when this gets 

 cold. 



As soon as the fever begins evidently 

 to subside, and the beast is more himself, 

 and eats a little, the fever medicine must 

 not be pushed too far. It should be re- 

 membered that this is a case of highly in- 

 flammatory disease, which soon passes 

 over, and is often succeeded by debility 

 almost as dangerous as the fever. The 

 ox, therefore, must not be too much low- 

 ered; but, the fever abating, mildest 

 Tonic Drink (See No. 33 Domestic An- 

 imals, Medicines for,) should be given. 



If this does not bring back the fever 

 it may be safely continued once every 

 day until the ox is well; or the quantities 

 of the gentian may be increased, and the 

 emetic tartar lessened, and at length alto- 

 gether omitted, the nitre being still re- 

 tained. 



A seton (of black hellebore root if it 

 can be procured) should be inserted into 

 the dewlap; and, if the beast can be 

 moved, it should be driven to much scan- 

 tier pasture. 



Should not the disease be discovered 

 until there is considerable swelling, and 

 a cracking noise in some tumefied part, a 

 cure is seldom effected. Bleeding at this 

 stage of the complaint, can seldom be re : 

 sorted to, or, at least, one moderate bleed- 

 ing only should be practiced, in order to 

 subdue any lurking fever that may re- 

 main. If a cure is in these cases at- 

 tempted the Tonic Drink should be 

 given, which may invigorate the system 

 by its cordial and tonic powers, and pre- 

 vent the mortification extending. 



The swelled parts should be frequently 

 bathed with equal portions of vinegar and 

 spirits of wine, made as hot as the hand 

 will bear; or, if ulceration seems to be 

 approaching, slight incisions should be 

 effected along the whole extent of the 

 swelling, and the part bathed with spirit 

 of turpentine, made hot. 



If ulceration has commenced, accom- 

 panied by the peculiar fcetor that attends 

 the disease, the wounds should be first 

 bathed with the Disinfectant Lotion 

 (No. 34, Domestic Animals, Medicines 

 for.) 



. The hot spirit of turpentine should be 

 applied immediately after this, and con- 

 tinued in use until either the mortified 



