DISEASES OF CATTLE 449 



elbow joint. In mild cases of articular rheumatism, the animal may 

 fully recover in a few days. 



In chronic articular rheumatism there is less tendency of the 

 disease to shift about, but there is a greater liability of structural 

 change in the affected joints. This change may consist of indura- 

 tion, exostosis, or even anchylosis. These structural changes about 

 the joints may lead to permanent deformity, such as bending of the 

 neck. Fever is not so constant in the chronic form' as in the acute, 

 and the latter may lapse into the former. 



Symptoms of Muscular Rheumatism. This form of rheuma- 

 tism may appear under the same general conditions as the articular 

 form. The general appearance of the animal is the same in both 

 forms. The cow usually assumes a recumbent position, and all the 

 movements made are stiff and lame. The method of rising or of 

 locomotion indicates pain in certain muscles or groups of muscles, 

 as of the croup, shoulder, or neck. As in the case of articular rheu- 

 matism, the tendons, ligaments, and sinovial membranes may be- 

 come involved. The constitutional symptoms in both articular and 

 muscular rheumatism are similar, so that it is often perplexing to 

 differentiate between the two forms. 



Prevention. It is somewhat difficult to procure preventive treat- 

 ment for cattle, especially when there are large numbers with little 

 or no shelter. In general it is advisable to protect the animals so far 

 as possible from inclement weather conditions, such as cold rains, 

 heavy dews, and frosts. This is more particularly necessary for ani- 

 mals in poor condition, or those which are perspiring or fatigued 

 after long physical exertion. Careful feeding is also essential. 



Treatment. In attempting to treat cattle for rheumatism the 

 first step is to procure proper shelter and environment. The animal 

 should be quartered in a large, clean, dry stall with plenty of light 

 and fresh air, but protected from strong drafts. There should be an 

 abundance of clean, dry bedding. The food should be soft and easily 

 digestible and slightly laxative, and the animal should have access 

 to clean, pure, cool water. 



For general or constitutional treatment of acute rheumatism, 

 sodium salicylate is indicated. In order to gain the best results from 

 this drug, it should be administered with the idea of rapidly satu- 

 rating the system. To cattle it may be given in doses of one-half 

 ounce every two hours for ten hours or until immediate relief is ob- 

 tained. This drug should not be continued indefinitely, but may be 

 given once a day after immediate relief has been obtained, and this 

 single dose continued daily until permanent relief ensues, when it 

 should be stopped. The use of sodium salicylate in chronic rheuma- 

 tism is not advisable on account of the danger of depressing the heart, 

 whose action is already somewhat impaired by the lesions which have 

 attacked it. In this case one-half ounce doses of potassium nitrate or 

 bicarbonate may be given three times a day. Besides the constitu- 

 tional treatment, it may be necessary to give special attention to the 

 bowels in order to relieve constipation. Cattle may be given saline 

 laxatives at the outset, such as 1 pound of Epsom salts for an ordi- 



