514 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



MORTIFICATION. 



Symptoms. — This complaint shows itself by swellings be- 

 hind the kidneys, and sometimes in the flanks, shoulders, 

 side, or legs, accompanied with a desire to remain in a lying 

 posture undisturbed. The prenionitors to dissolution are a 

 most foetid odour proceeding from the animal. It is seldom 

 that he lives long after the first appearance of the malady : 

 from five to twenty- four hours generally puts a period to 

 his existence. Animals which have died of this complaint 

 have been skinned, and it has been found that the swollen 

 parts contain a gelatinous matter, mixed witli very dark- 

 coloured blood, nearly approaching to black. The animal 

 dies without any symptoms of pain. 



Causes. — This is a complaint which has only been known 

 to exist in Connecticut, America, where it has proved very 

 fatal to cattle. It is attributed to a change of pasture, or 

 from bad to good fodder, which causes plethora, or fulness, 

 and gorging of the vessels of the body. Cattle in the 

 highest condition are most liable to be afiected. 



Remedies. — Little can be efiected where this malady is 

 not attacked at the outset, and the medicines must be those 

 of a preventive quality. These must be, first, not to 

 make too sudden a change from a bad to a good pasturage, 

 nor too abrupt a transition from a poor to a rich diet. 

 The following aperient should be first administered in the 

 form of a drink : — 



Calomel . . . i drachm, 



Tartarized antimony . 2 drachms. 



Cream of tartar . ^ ounce, 



Camphor . . 2 scruples ; 



given in a pint of gruel of wheat-flour. And when 



to h 



