SCOURIJN^G-ROT. 509 



It is not uncommon for calves at the time of weaning to 

 be affected with diarrhoea, which at this tender age slionld 

 be stopped bj 



Prepared chalk . . 2 ounces, 



Gruel composed of flour and 



milk ... 1 quart ; 



to be given every six hours, until the symptoms are arrested. 

 But if in two days evident signs of a cure are not visible, 

 to the above must be added a drachm of powdered ginger, 

 and one drachm of laudanum. 



SCOURmG-ROT. 



Symptoms. — This is a dangerous malady, and sometimes 

 is very deadly. Long-continued purging induces loss of 

 flesh and general weakness ; and so reduced is the muscular 

 fibre, in many instances, that the skin may be seen hanging 

 like a loose garment about their bodies. In other instances 

 the animal is hide-bound ; the hair changes its colour to 

 sandy or grey ; the eyes grow pale ; they eject a thin and 

 slimy matter ; and their pulse is weak and irregular : 

 the excrements often change colour, more particularly 

 in the earlier stages of the complaint. In the more ad- 

 vanced stages of the malady, the f^ces appear like food half- 

 masticated, as it passes through the stomach and intestines 

 without undergoing the ordinary digestive process. If the 

 animal is pressed on either side of the spine, immediately 

 behind the shoulders, after a long continuance of scouring- 

 rot, it will manifest symptoms of suffering much pain. 

 When this is the case, it may be inferred that the animal 

 has become unsound, or tainted, and the chances against 

 his recovery are exceedingly smaU. The excrements in the 

 advanced stage are of a dark colour, with a frothy appear- 

 ance, and the smell exceedingly offensive. 



