410 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



limbs become covered with pustules, which may rupture in a few 

 hours, followed by rapid and successive incrustations ; the scabs fre- 

 quently coalesce, covering a large surface ; pus may form under them, 

 and the whole thickness of the skin become involved in the morbid 

 process. This form of the disease is attributed to the local irritant 

 properties of plants growing in the pasture, such as St. John's wort 

 (Hypericum perforatum), smartweed (Polygonum hydropiper), 

 vetches, honeydew, etc. Buckwheat, at the time the seeds become 

 ripe, is said to have caused it, also bedding with buckwheat straw. 



Treatment. Sucking calves should be removed from their 

 mother, and the latter should have a purgative to divert the poison- 

 ous substance secreted with the milk. When the more formidable dis- 

 ease among grazing cattle appears, the pasturage should be changed, 

 and the affected parts of the animal thoroughly anointed once a day 

 with sweet oil containing 2 drams of carbolic acid to the pint. This 

 should be continued until the crusts soften and begin to drop off, 

 then the parts may be cleansed thoroughly with warm 'water and soap. 

 Subsequently apply the white precipitate ointment or carbolized cos- 

 moline daily until the parts are healed. 



PEMPHIGUS (WATER BLISTERS). 



This is an inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized by suc- 

 cessive formations of rounded, irregularly shaped water 'blisters, vary- 

 ing in size from a pea to a hen's egg. The causes are obscure. 



Symptoms. The formation of a blister is preceded- by a conges- 

 tion or swelling of the skin. Yellowish colored water collects beneath 

 the cuticle, which raises the latter from its bed in the form of a blister. 

 The blisters appear in a succession of crops ; as soon as one crop dis- 

 appears another forms. They usually occur in clusters, each one 

 being distinct, or they may coalesce. Each crop usually runs its 

 course in a week. Itching or burning sensations attend this disease 

 which cause the animal to rub, thereby frequently producing excoria- 

 tions and formation of crust on the affected region. 



Treatment. Give a tablespoonful of the following mixture in 

 feed twice a day : Saltpeter, cream of tartar, and sulphur, equal parts 

 by weight. The blisters should be opened as soon as formed, to allow 

 the escape of the serum, then apply a wash composed of chlorid of 

 zinc, 1 dram to 15 ounces of water. When there is any formation of 

 crusts, apply carbolized cosmoline. 



FURUNCULUS (BOILS) . 



This is an acute affection of the skin, usually involving its whole 

 thickness, characterized by the formation of one or more abscesses, 

 originating generally in a sebaceous gland, sweat gland, or hair fol- 

 licle. They usually terminate by absorption, or by the formation of a 

 central core, which sloughs out, leaving a deep, round cavity that 

 soon heals. 



Causes. Impoverished state of the blood, the result of kidney 

 diseases, or of local friction or contusions. 



Symptoms. Boils in cattle usually appear singly, not in clus- 

 ters; they may attain the size of a hen's egg. The abscess begins ^as 

 a small round nodule, painful to pressure, gradually increases in size 



