THE BLAIN , & C . 81 



The remedy, and often a very expeditious one for this disease, is to 

 cut deeply, and from end to end, the bladders that will be found along 

 the side of and under the tongue. They will appear to be filled with 

 a glutinous matter, and, although there may not be much hjleeding 

 from them at first, considerable bloody fluid will gradually ooze out, 

 the swelling of the mouth and head will subside, and the beast will 

 be very much relieved. All the curious operations of thrusting sticks 

 and tar down the throat have this for their object, to break these 

 bladders, but which is most easily and completely eflfected by the 

 knife. 



If, however, much fever has accompanied the enlargement of the 

 tongue, it will be prudent to take away five or six quarts of blood, 

 and to give a physic drink, and particularly if, on the day following 

 the operation, the beast should continue to be feverish. The mouth 

 may lik^ewise be washed with a solution of the chloride of lime in 

 water, in the proportions of one drachm of the powdered chloride to a 

 quart of water, while the mouth is very ofifensive; and with equal 

 parts of tincture of myrrh and water afterwards, in order to promote 

 the healing of the ulcer. 



If the fever continues, the fever drink (No. 1, p. 46) may be given 

 morning and night, and the bowels kept open by the purging drinks 

 (No. 2 or 7, p. 47 and 52). ' 



Should considerable weakness and loss of appetite remain when 

 the fever seems to be subdued, the following tonic drink may be 

 given: — 



RECIPE (No. 32). 

 Tonic Drink. — Take gentian, two drachms ; tartrate of iron, one drachm ; ginger, 

 one drachm. Mi.\, and give in a pint of gruel. 



This may be repeated daily, or twice a day, as circumstances may 

 require. 



It will sometimes happen that the animal will for some days refuse 

 to eat, on account of the soreness of the mouth. Thin gruel should 

 be always placed within his reach, and plenty of thick gruel admi- 

 nistered with the horn. 



The person who has to attend on cattle that have the blain should 

 take care that none of the discharge from the mouth comes in contact 

 with any sore place, for very troublesome ulcers have been produced 

 by this means. If there is any fear that a sore place has been thus 

 inoculated, the lunar caustic should be applied to it. 



