466 SPORADIC DISEASES, 



tions as to all its flesh-forraing, heat-giving, and saline con- 

 stituents. If the malady be manifested in other than parturient 

 animals, its source of origin will generally be found to exist in 

 the pastures, wliich are on undrained, impoverished, or naturally 

 inferior soils, in rank, unnutritious food, and in defective feeding 

 of all kinds. If the causes be removed — the animals properly 

 fed — it will be found that the further manifestation of the 

 disease will be arrested. 



The medicinal and hygienic treatment of the disease is very 

 varied and often unsatisfactory. Its pathology, however, points 

 to a rational method, namely, that the great end in view is the 

 restoration of the blood to its physiological condition by the 

 administration of albumen, which can be easily effected by giving 

 eggs and milk ; and several of the veterinarians who sent me 

 samples of urine, have, on my recommendation, pursued this 

 line of treatment with very successful results. In addition to 

 the highly albuminous food, stimulants, and the chlorate of 

 potash, from its well-known action on the blood, may be given 

 with benefit. As to the administration of purgatives, I am of 

 opinion tliat the more drastic ones should be avoided, and that 

 the diarrhoea, which is a very constant symptom at the com- 

 mencement of the disease, should be encouraged by mild oleagi- 

 nous aperients, as it is the means by which the unsuitable food 

 contained in the alimentary canal is expelled from the body. 

 If there be any appetite, it is clear that food of a nutritious but 

 easily digestible nature must be allowed in moderation. 



Treatment hy styptics. — Some veterinarians, looking upon the 

 malady as hsematuria, administer styptics and astringents, for 

 the purpose of restraining the bloody discharge. This view of 

 its pathology is incorrect, and consequently the treatment which 

 is based upon it need not be discussed. 



ASTHMA — BROKEN WIND. 



Asthma, like diabetes, might with propriety be classified 

 amongst constitutional diseases, for now and then it arises from 

 no cognizable cause. I have, however, deemed it advisable to 

 classify it with the dietetic diseases, as in the great majority of 

 instances it originates from errors in feeding. 



Definition. — A non-inflammatory disease, characterised by 



