602 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



safe in the hands of an intelligent stockman, is not so simple as 

 drenching. 



In all experiments a solution was used containing equal weights 

 of potassium permanganate and sulphate of aluminum. The latter 

 substance was added for the purpose of counteracting any alkaline 

 reaction of the water which might be used in making the solution, 

 and for increasing the oxidizing action of the potassium permangan- 

 ate. From our experiments it seems desirable to recommend that 

 from 5 to 10 grains of each of these compounds be dissolved in water 

 together and given as a drench to adult sheep. A smaller quantity 

 may be given to young lambs. Hogs will take the same dose as sheep, 

 horses from 15 to 20 grains, and cattle from 30 to 50. In dissolving 

 these substances a quantity of water should be taken ? which is most 

 convenient for drenching purposes, usually about a pint, but a quart 

 or even more may be taken. In cases where a large number of ani- 

 mals are poisoned at once, it will be found desirable to prepare a large 

 quantity of the solution, containing a thousand or more doses, dis- 

 solved in water in such proportions that a convenient quantity of the 

 water, say 1 pint, will contain the desired amount of the potassium 

 permanganate. This substance forms slightly explosive compounds 

 when mixed with sirup or similar organic substances; otherwise no 

 especial precaution is to be observed in its use. When administered 

 to animals it should all be in solution, since the pure salt would irri- 

 tate the mouth cavity. It will be found to dissolve much more rap- 

 idly and surely when pulverized before mixing with water. 



The sheep is easily managed, and no method of administering 

 remedies offers any noteworthy difficulties. Convenience and ra- 

 pidity of application are the chief factors in determining what method 

 shall be adopted. When a thousand or more sheep are poisoned si- 

 multaneously, no remedy is practicable which requires any great 

 length of time for its application. Drenching is, perhaps, the most 

 rapid method for this purpose, and long-necked bottles or regular 

 drenching bottles may be used. In drenching, the sheep should be 

 set upright, and care should be exercised that the solution is not 

 wasted. With a little experience the drench may be given rapidly 

 with no danger to the sheep. In cases of poisoning, where the throat 

 is paralyzed and the animal unable to swallow, drenching will be 

 found dangerous or impossible. In such cases the solution may be 

 injected directly into the stomach by means of a large syringe and 

 trochar and canula. The point for inserting the canula should be the 

 same as that which is adopted for paunching in cases of bloat. 



BLOATING AND ITS REMEDY. 



Stockmen are usually acquainted with the serious or fatal conse- 

 quences of bloating in cattle and sheep. The plants which most fre- 

 quently cause bloat are alfalfa and various clovers, but ordinarily only 

 when eaten in a green condition. A few cases are reported, however, 

 from eating alfalfa or clover hay. It is usually asserted by stockmen 

 that the liability of bloating is greater when the alfalfa or clover is 

 moist with rain or dew or after a slight frost. The danger of bloat 

 is certainly much greater in animals which are unaccustomed to thia 



