DISEASES OF CATTLE 93 



an hour if the animal is not relieved. In an emergency when med- 

 icine is not to be had, half a pint of whisky may be substituted for 

 medicine, and should be given mixed with a pint of warm water; 

 or a tablespoonful of powdered ginger may be aolministered in the 

 same way as the remedies already mentioned. 



Indigestion in Calves (G astro-Intestinal Catarrh, Diarrhea, or 

 Scour). [See Diseases of Young Calves. J 



G astro-Enteritis. Gastro-enteritis, or inflammation of the walls 

 of the stomach and intestines, follows upon irritations more severe or 

 longer continued than those that produce gastro-intestinal catarrh. 



Causes. Severe indigestion may be followed by gastro-enteri- 

 tis, or it may be caused by swallowing irritant poisons, such as 

 arsenic or corrosive sublimate or irritant plants. Exposure to cold 

 or inclement weather may produce this disease, especially in debil- 

 itated animals or animals fed improperly. It is claimed that if cat- 

 tle feed on vegetation infested with some kinds of caterpillars this 

 disease may result. 



Symptoms. Dullness; drooping of the ears; dryness of the 

 muzzle ; dry skin ; staring coat ; loins morbidly sensitive to pressure ; 

 fullness of the left flank, which is owing to the distention of the 

 fourth stomach by gas. The pulse is small, the gait is feeble and 

 staggering; each step the animal makes is accompanied by a grunt, 

 and this symptom is especially marked if the animal happens to 

 walk in a downward direction. There is loss of appetite, and rumi- 

 nation is suspended. The passages at first are few in number, hard, 

 and are sometimes coated with mucus or with blood. Later a se- 

 vere diarrhea sets in, when the passages contain mucus and blood 

 and have an offensive odor. There is evidence of colicky pain, and 

 the abdomen is sensitive to pressure. Pain may be continuous. 

 There is fever and acceleration of the pulse rate and respirations. 

 Mental depression and even insensibility occur before death. The 

 disease is always severe and often fatal. 



Post-Mortem Appearances. The mucous membrane of the 

 fourth stomach has a well-marked red color and sometimes presents 

 ulcerations. The wall is thickened and softened, and similar condi- 

 tions are found in the walls of the intestines. The red discoloration 

 extends in spots or large areas quite through the wall, showing on 

 the outside. 



Treatment. Very small quantities of carefully selected food 

 must be given and the appetite must not be forced. Protect the 

 animal well from cold and dampness. Internally, give linseed tea, 

 boiled milk, boiled oatmeal gruel, or rice water. These protective^ 

 may carry the medicine. Tannopin in doses of 30 to 60 grains is 

 good. Subnitrate of bismuth in doses of 1 to 2 drams may be given. 

 If the diarrhea is severe, pulverized opium may be used in 1 to 2 

 dram doses. If the bowel movements are not free, one may give 

 from a pint to a quart of castor or raw linseed oil. 



Diarrhea and Dysentery. The word dysentery, as it is com- 

 monly used in relation to ttie diseases of animals, signifies a severe 

 form of diarrhea. 



