RHEUMATISM. 44S 



Dr. Davies does not apply the blister upon, but near to the 

 inflamed part. I can speak with great confidence of the benefit 

 of treatment by blistering in the lower animals ; the blisters are, 

 however, quite as effectual when applied to the inflamed parts. 



In the Ox. — The same external treatment is applicable as in 

 the horse ; the nitrate of potash may, however, be given in larger 

 doses, and the bowels acted upon by the sulphate of magnesia 

 or soda instead of aloes. Cows will often, when suffering from 

 rheumatic fever, refuse to rise from the recumbent posture. In 

 such cases repeated change of bedding is absolutely necessary ; 

 great cleanliness, dryness, and comfort must be secured, and 

 the inflamed joints wrapped in dry flannel, in order to prevent 

 bruising and the occurrence of the suppurative process. 



With regard to cardiac complications, I think the cow is not 

 quite so liable to suffer as the horse : this is, however, a matter 

 of opinion merely. 



If suppuration occur in or near to an articulation, it is best at 

 all times to put the ox or cow out of its sufferings, as recovery 

 seldom or never takes place. 



The diet in all cases, if the animal be not already debilitated 

 by previous disease or other cause, must at first be light and easy 

 of digestion, as mashes and hay, or green food, if in season ; as 

 the fever subsides, stronger food may be cautiously allowed; 

 and if depression be a marked symptom, cinchona and ammonia 

 are to be prescribed in suitable doses. 



Continental writers describe articular rheumatism as a febrile 

 infectious disease, most frequently affecting horned cattle, and 

 often due to abortion or non-delivery ; and they consider that 

 the absorption of septic products of the uterus is the sole cause 

 of articular rheumatism. I cannot agree with this view, and 

 the writers have evidently confounded rheumatism with septic 

 conditions sometimes witnessed immediately subsequent to par- 

 turition, abortion, or co-existent with retention of foetal mem- 

 branes or of a dead foetus. 



The treatment of rheumatism, according to Continental writers, 

 is a very complicated afl'air, consisting of irritating and stimulat- 

 ing frictions to the afl'ected regions, the induction of dia])horesis, 

 massage ; the administration of salicylate of soda, salol, naphtliol, 

 antipyrine, laxatives, tartar emetic, tartar colchicum, pilocarpine, 

 &c. The " reader " can have his choice ; the " author " has tried a 

 few of the remedies and found them inoperative, unless for harm. 



