DISEASES OF CATTLE. 259 



180. Dissections of those that have died of this disease, accordinp 

 to Sauvagcs, have shown marks of great inflammauon, and of a 

 great putrid tendency ; but the solid parts seldom ran into gan- 

 grene. The fluid secretions however, always were sufficiently 

 dissolved and broken down by putridity. The paunch, he says, 

 was usually filled with undigested matter, and the other stomachs 

 highly inflamed : the gall bladder was also commonly distended, 

 with acrid thick brown bile. Goelich, who likewise dissects a 

 these subjects, describes the gall as particularly profuse and in- 

 tolerably foetid. According to him, the whole alimentary canal, 

 from the mouth to the anus was excorated ; and Lancisi, contrary 

 to Sauvages, found the viscera of the chest and belly, in some r*ases 

 sphacelated and gangrenous. Gazola describes the murrain as 

 accompanied with pustulous sores ; and so great was the putria 

 tendency, that even the milk, before it dried up, which it usually 

 did before the fourth day, became fcetid. 



181. The treatment of the murrain. In the very early stages, all 

 eminent authors recommend bleeding ; but which should not only 

 be confined to the ver}'- early periods, as to the two first days ; but 

 also to such subjects as by their previous health and condition can 

 oear it. The animals should be placed in aa open airy place ; the 

 litter should be frequently renewed ; and the place itself should be 

 fumigated with the preventative fumigation. (161,) It has been 

 recommended to burn green boughs with pitch as a substitute 

 even charcoal fires occasionally carried around the place would be 

 useful. Dr. Layard advises the body to be washed with aromatic 

 herbs in water ; but vinegar would have been better. In early 

 stages, saline purgatives, as from ten to twenty ounces of Epsom 

 salts are to be invariably used. If the scouring have already come 

 on, still, however, purge ; but with only half the quantity; an arti- 

 ficial purge will carry off the morbid bile ; and if excessire weakness 

 do not come on, the same may be advantageously repeated. Setons 

 are also recommended in the dewlap. When abscess appear, they 

 may be opened, and their contents discharged, washing the wound 

 with brandy or vinegar, if putrid sloughing takes place. The em. 

 physematous swellings or cracklings, may also be opened, and the 

 air discharged. The other essentials of medical treatment, as 

 aetailed under malignant epidemic among horses, is here applicable 

 in every particular. When recovery takes place, it is usually a 

 very slow process, and requires care to prevent other diseases super- 

 vening. The animal should continue to be housed, and neither 

 exposed to sun or wind for some time, and the feeding should be 

 nutritious The following infallible cure of the bloody murrain ax 



23* 



