i 



THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 139 



Dr. Mcllhenny thus sums up the reasons which lead hin> to consider the trembles 

 as the effect of the Rhus Toxicodendron, or poison oak. 



" To sum up our conclusions on the cause of milk-sickness, we must be allowed to 

 express our decided conviction, that it is produced by the Rhus 'J'oxicodendroa, or 

 Poison Oak, for the following reasons:— 



1. Sick stomach does not prevail where there is no rhus— that in every section of 

 country where none of the small rhus can be found, there can be none of the trembles 

 found. 



2. It does universally exist whf^re there is an abundance of the smaller rhus, 



3. It never occurs until vegetation comes forth in the sprinc;. 



4. Where it prevails most, the rhus is in its greatest luxuriance. 



5. After the heavy frosts kill all vegetation, the disease subsides. 



C. It is a well-known fact, that cultivation kills the Poison Oak — entirely de- 

 stroys it. 



7. It is equally as well established, that animals kept within a well-cultivated 

 enclosure, are perfectly exempt from the disease. 



8. Almost every observant and intellifjent individual who has been raised amidst 

 the disease, has come to the conclusion, that the Rhus Toxicodendron is the cause of 

 milk sickness. 



9. That it is distinguished from the Radicans, or common Poison Vine, by its dif- 

 ferent number of leaves— also, by its ar-.ridness of character. 



10. A certain locality produces the disease, find it where you may, such as flat, 

 heavy timber-land, interspersed with hazle and other underbrush, which is quite 

 productive of the rhus. 



11. The seldom appearance of the disease on hilly, dry ground, is in consequence 

 of such a place not being congenial to the production of that plant, so that what 

 little does exist, is not so apt to produce the disease, in consequence of its unhealthy 

 growth." 



The PATHOLOGY of the di.scase is thus described by the same author : — 



" As to the pathology of this disease I know but little. I have treated quite a 

 number of cases, but have never been favoured with a post mortem examination; 

 consequently, I have had no other means of ascertaining morbid appearances than 

 that of judging from symptoms : the mere external developments of the internal con- 

 dition. We are told, however, that in animals which die of this disease, the many 

 folds, or mesentery, is in a hard, dry condition, and, in many cases, perfectly black ; 

 and that all the folds which lie enclosed in the bowels, and are in close contact with 

 them, are frequently in such a brittle condition, that they can be readily broken, 

 particularly those that envelope the stomach; and that traces of inflammatory ac- 

 tion can be frequently discovered the whole length of the intestinal canal; but the 

 greater amount, those that have left the deepest marks, are to be seen in and around 

 the stomach and duodenum. 



" If this should bo a true condition of the morbid appearances of the animal, which 

 we are satisfied it is, we may reasonably expect that the same results are to be seen 

 in the human subject. So far, however, as my opinion goes, I believe that the poison, 

 when taken into the stomach, produces inflammation of that organ, particularly 

 confined to the mucous coat ; that inflammation continuing, thickens the mucous 

 lining to such an extent, that it closes, in proportion to its severity, the passage 

 from the stomach to the bowels. I am satisfied that there is inflammation down to 

 the upper part of the bowels, but, generally, in a slight degree. I do not believe that 

 there is any general inflammatory condition of any of the chylopoetic viscera, but 

 that the entire force of the disease is spent upon the stomach, and, perhaps, duo- 

 denum. 



" From what observation I have been able to make upon the subject, I am inclined 

 to the opinion that the lower portions of the bowels remain, measurably, if not en- 

 tirely, exempt from inflammation ; that it is entirely a disease of the stomach ; that 

 in proportion to the severity with which that organ is attacked, in that proportion 

 will thechvlopnjtic viscera become deraneed. 



" Another proof that the disease is inflanunatory, is the constipated condition of 

 the bowels. There could not be such a dry and hardened condition of the fecal matter 

 produced by any other derangement, excepting that of inflammatory action. 



"I have been led to make the.se Yemarks, in consequence of an opinion that is 

 prevalent with some of our practitioners, that the diseas^e is nervous; that the great 

 gastric irritability is, or might be, attributed to neivous excitement. This, to me, 

 appears impossible ; fur, if the nerves uf tlm stomach were in sucli a morbid condi* 



