THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 141 * 



" Throughout the disease, rest is considered a sine qua non to the favourable effect 

 of any measure, and of itself, in mild cases, sufficient ; that is, if tliey be not aggra- 

 vated by exercise, the disease will wear itself out, or spontaneously subside." 



Other diseases of cattle which prevail in Ohio and the West have been thus de- 

 scribed to us by Governor Vance of Ohio, a gentleman alike distinguished for the 

 study and the practice of what is useful and amiable, rather than the ornamental— 

 hence his great and deserved popularity. 



From Governor Vance, of Ohio. 



[Mad Itch.— The effect of cattle following hogs that are fed on green corn, cut up 

 and thrown to them when in the roasting-ear state, is very fatal. The hogs will 

 chew the corn-stalk, and extract all the sap, and then throw it out. These fibres 

 thus thrown out, with all the sap extracted, will be eaten voraciously by the cattle. 

 It contains no nutriment to give fermentation to enable the animal to ruminate; 

 and it thus lays dormant and inactive in the many folds, or stomach ; becomes per- 

 fectly compact and undigestable ; creates fever, and in the end destroys the animal. 



Cattle destroyed by eating these fibres of the corn-stalk will first show the symp- 

 tom by a wild stare of the eye, and in its first stages will frequently become cross, 

 and even attack their keepers. They will then begin to rub the nose and head against 

 the fence until the skin and tlei^h are torn and lacerated in a most frightful manner, 

 and in the end die in great misery. I have lost many fine cattle in this way, and 

 have never been able to save one thus afflicted. The entire symptoms are similar to 

 what is called the mad itch, which I have no doubt is created by the same cause, by 

 taking into many folds indigestible matter incapable of fermentation and rumina- 

 tion. 



Black Foot.— There is a late complaint amongst our cattle in the west, called the 

 black foot. It is fatal to stock, destroying them in a few hours. The attack is gene- 

 rally in the fore leg or foot ; the animal becomes stiff, and moves with great difficulty, 

 the flesh turning black from the foot to the body, causing mortification and imme- 

 diate death. This disease has never been in my stock, and I only speak of it from 

 information ; but it is said to be very fatal, and as far as I have heard we are with- 

 out a cure or preventive to arrest its progress.] 



