132 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



tive, 4 drams of bromid of potassium, dissolved in the drinking 

 water, three times a day, has proved very beneficial in some cases. 



SUNSTROKE (PROSTRATION FROM HEAT). 



Owing to the fact that cattle are seldom put to work at which 

 they would have to undergo severe exertion, especially in collars, 

 they are not frequently prostrated by the extreme heat of the summer 

 months. When at pasture they select the coolest places in the shade 

 of trees, in water, etc., when the heat becomes oppressive, and thereby 

 avoid, as much as possible, the effects of it. 



It does happen, however, that cattle that have been kept up for 

 the purpose of fattening, when driven some distance in very hot 

 weather, are sometimes prostrated, but it must be remembered that it 

 is not really necessary for the animal to be exposed to the rays of the 

 sun, as those confined in hot, close places may suffer. This often 

 happens in shipping, when they are crowded together in cars. 



Symptoms. The premonitory signs are those of exhaustion 

 dullness, panting, frothing at the mouth, tongue hanging out, irreg- 

 ular gait, uneasiness, palpitation when, if the circumstances which 

 tend to the prostration are not mitigated, the animal staggers or 

 sways from side to side, falls, struggles for a while, and then grad- 

 ually becomes quiet, or the struggles may continue, with repeated 

 bet ineffectual efforts to regain a standing position. In serious cases 

 the attack may be very sudden, unconsciousness occurring without 

 continued or distressing premonitory symptoms. 



Treatment. At first when not very serious, removal to a quiet, 

 sheltered place, with a few days on a reduced diet, is all that need be 

 done. When the animal has fallen, apply cold water or ice to the 

 head ; rub the body and limbs with cloths or wisps of straw, and con- 

 tinue the rubbing for a considerable time. If the power of swallow- 

 ing is not lost (which may be ascertained by pouring a little cold 

 water into the mouth), give 3 drams of stronger liquor ammonia, di- 

 luted with a quart of cold water. Be very careful in drenching the 

 animal when lying down. Eepeat the drench in a half hour, and 

 an hour after the first one has been given. Instead of the ammonia, 

 a drench composed of 3 ounces of spirits of nitrous ether in a pint of 

 water may be given, if more convenient, but the ammonia drench is 

 preferable. If unconsciousness continues, so that a drench can not 

 be administered, the same quantity of ammonia and water may be 

 injected with a syringe into the rectum. The popular aqua ammo- 

 nia, commonly called hartshorn, will do as well as the stronger liquor 

 ammonia, but as it is weaker than the latter the dose for a cow is 

 about l l /2 ounces, which should be diluted with a quart of water be- 

 fore it is given to the animal, either as a drench or an enema. When 

 ammonia can not be obtained a pint of whisky in a quart of water or 

 an ounce of tincture of digitalis may be given. 



As soon as the animal is able to rise it should be assisted and 

 moved to the nearest shelter. All the cold water it will drink should 

 be allowed. The ammonia or spirits of nitrous ether drench should 

 be administered every three hours so long as there is much failure of 

 strength. The diet should be limited for several days bran slops 



