DISEASES OF CATTLE 25 



and especially in that form of bronchitis or pneumonia that is caused 

 by lungworms. For this injection a large hypodermic syringe is 

 used that is fitted with a very thick, strong needle. The needle is to 

 be inserted about the middle of the neck and between the cartilag- 

 inous rings of the trachea. 



By the Skin. Although a number of drugs, notably mercury, 

 are so readily absorbed by the skin of cattle as to render poisoning 

 easy, medicines are not given in this way for their general or consti- 

 tutional, but only for their local effect. Diseases of the skin and 

 superficial parasites are treated or destroyed by applications in the 

 forms of washes, ointments, dips, and powders. Liniments and lo- 

 tions are applied to the skin for the relief of some near-lying part, 

 such as a muscle, tendon, or joint. Blisters are applied to the skin 

 for the purpose of obtaining the effect of counter-irritation upon a 

 neighboring region or organ. Cold water may be applied to the skin 

 to reduce the temperature and to diminish congestion or inflamma- 

 tion in a superficial area or to reduce the temperature of the whole 

 body. High fever and heat strokes are treated in this way. 



By the Tissue Beneath the Skin. Hypodermic or subcutane- 

 ous injections are often made for the purpose of introducing a drug 

 reagent, or vaccine directly into the connecting tissue beneath the 

 skin. Introduced in this way, the substance is quickly absorbed, 

 none of it is lost, and its whole effect is obtained, often within a few 

 minutes. 



There are numerous precautions necessary in making a subcu- 

 taneous .injection, most of which have to do with cleansing and ster- 

 ilization. It is also important to select a proper site for the injec- 

 tion, so that blood vessels, joints, and superficial nerves, organs, or 

 cavities may all be avoided. With due regard for the necessary pre- 

 cautions, there is practically no danger in such an injection, but it 

 should be attempted only by those who are able to carry it through 

 in a surgically clean way. Only certain drugs can be given sub- 

 cutaneously, and dosage must be accurately graduated. 



By the Veins. Certain medicines act most promptly and surely 

 when introduced directly into the blood by injecting them into 

 a vein. The jugular vein is usually selected for this purpose. Some 

 vaccines and antitoxins are administered in this way. Intravenous 

 injection should be practiced only by experienced veterinarians. 



MEDICINES USED. 



The object of this section is to place before the stock owners 

 who are not in reach of competent veterinarians, a limited amount of 

 information on the subject of Veterinary Materia Medica, and to dis- 

 countenance the use of obnoxious mixtures, which frequently do 

 more harm than good. Only the most common drugs will be dealt 

 with, giving in a general way their actions and uses. Before enter- 

 ing into a discussion of each drug separately, it will be necessary, in 

 order to make more clear its discussion, to define a few of the terms 

 that will be used in this connection ; also to describe the methods of 

 administration, and the manner in which medicines act. 



