DISEASES OF CATTLE 109 



course of the disease tracheotomy should be performed! without 

 delay. The details of the operation are fully described under the 

 head of Surgical operations. 



When the disease assumes a chronic form strong counterirri- 

 tation is indicated. A cantharides blister may be applied, or the 

 following ointment may be used: Biniodid of mercury 1 part, 

 lard 6 parts; mix. In some cases it will be found necessary to re- 

 peat the above application. 



BRONCHITIS. 



Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of 

 the bronchial tubes. When a primary disease it is generally the 

 result of what is commonly known as catching cold. It may be 

 secondary to or complicated with many of the diseases of the re- 

 spiratory system. It may also be caused by breathing irritating 

 gases; or by the introduction of foreign bodies into the bronchial 

 tubes, which sometimes results from injudicious and careless 

 drenching when the larynx is in a temporary relaxed state. It 

 may be acute or chronic, and is divided, according to the seat of 

 the inflammation, into bronchitis proper where the large tubes are 

 affected, or capillary bronchitis where the smaller tubes are af- 

 fected. 



Symptoms. Loss of appetite, elevation of temperature, gen- 

 erally 104 to 105 F. The inspiration is incomplete, short, and 

 painful, and the expiration is prolonged. The pulse is increased 

 in frequency and is hard. A characteristic and painful oough is 

 present, but it is paroxysmal and incomplete. Auscultation and 

 percussion greatly aid us in a diagnosis. A normal sound is ob- 

 served on percussion. On auscultation, in the early stages, rhon- 

 chus rales are detected if the larger tubes are affected, and sibilant 

 rales if the smaller tubes are affected. Later on mucous rales are 

 noted, and sometimes all sounds in certain parte are absent, which 

 is due to the plugging up of the tubes. This plugging of the tubes, 

 if extensive enough, is sometimes the cause of death, or death may 

 result from extension of the disease to the lungs or pleura. 



Treatment. The animal should be placed in a light, well- 

 ventilated box, and the bowels kept in a soft condition by enemas, 

 etc. Avoid violent purgatives. The body should be kept warm 

 by blanketing. In the early stages give three times daily a draft 

 composed as follows : Extracts of belladonna, 2 drams ; solution of 

 acetate of ammonium, 4 fluid ounces; water, one-half pint. In 

 the later stage of the disease substitute the following formula, which 

 may be given twice daily. Carbonate of ammonium, 3 drams; 

 liquor hydrochlorate of strychnine, 2 fluid drams ; spirits of nitrous 

 ether, 1 fluid ounce; water, one-half pint. 



In some cases the following is preferable to either of the above 

 and may be given in a pint of linseed tea every four hours : Spir- 

 its of nitrous ether, 1% ounces; aromatic spirits of ammonia, 2 

 ounces; powdered camphor, 2 drams. The food should be light 

 and nutritious. 



