CHAPTER III. 

 NON-CONTAGIOUS BLOOD DISEASES. 



I. PLETHORA. II. ANAEMIA. III. RHEUMATISM. IV. URAEMIA. V. SEP- 

 TICAEMIA AND PYAEMIA. VI. PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA. VII. HAEMATU- 



RIA. OR RED WATER IN CATTLE. VIII. MALIGNANT CATARRH. IX MA- 

 LIGNANT SORE THROAT. 



I. Plethora. 



This, which may be described us an over fat condition of the blood, is 

 conducive to many very serious results liy interfering with the circulation, 

 especially that through the vital organs, rendering them inert and unable to 

 eliminate from the system the effete material which, at such a time, ex- 

 ists in increased quantities. These impurities, left in the system, lead to 

 blood poisoning, and to excessive congestions and inflammations in case 

 of disease, thus greatly enhancing the dangers attending disorders of all 

 kinds. 



Causes. — It is caused hy rich, stimulating food, such as oil-cake, corn 

 and other grain, roots, and too succulent green food and pastures, — in 

 fact, anything that fattens very fast. 



How to know it. — Unusually rapid improvement, exuberant spirits, 

 sleek hair, loose skin, and tendency to fatten very fast. Occasionally, 

 sliglit fever may be seen, at first of short duration, but increasing with 

 each attack till violent congestion occurs, followed by inflammation ; and 

 death supervenes after a run of very high fever, or suddenly during the 

 congestive stage. 



What to do. — Deplete either by bleeding or purging. Take from two 

 to six quarts of blood, or give a few doses of salts, in quantities of a 

 single handful, morning and night for a week, at tlie same time remov- 

 ing to less luxuriant pasture, or curtailing the meal. The restricted diet 

 and salts are preferable to bleeding. 



II. Ansemia. 



Causes. — This condition, the reverse of plethora, is seen when the 

 animal is thin in flesh from lack of suflScient or proper kinds of food, 

 especially when this is accompanied by exposure to the weather or im- 

 poverishment by parasites. It is apt to lead to purpura hemorrhagica, 

 rheumatism, etc., and always predisposes to lice or other vermin. 



