100 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



VERMINOUS BRONCHITIS. 



This is a disease that sometimes attacks young cattle when pas- 

 tured in low-lying meadows near rivers subject to flood. It is caused 

 by a small worm, Strongylus mlcrurus^ which lodges in large num- 

 bers in the trachea and bronchial tubes, giving rise to considerable 

 irritation of the air passages and inflammation. Sometimes the 

 strongjdes lodge in large numbers in the windpipe, forming them- 

 selves into a ball, and thus choke the animal to death. 



Symft<yms. — It is liable to attack a number of animals at once, and 

 the weakest are the first to give way. The animal has a remarkably 

 forcible cough, distressing, and of a special hacking and paroxysmal 

 character. A stringy mucus is sometimes expelled during the spells 

 of coughing. This mucus contains the Strongylus micrurus, which 

 can be detected, or their ova observed, under a low power of the 

 microscope. The attack has a subacute character and is very ex- 

 hausting. The parasites, by becoming entwined in balls, seriously 

 impede respiration, which is always remarkably labored in this 

 disease. 



Treatment. — The affected calves should be placed in a dry stable, 

 protected from dampness, and subjected to fumigations of sulphurous 

 anhydrid or chlorin gas. The liberation of chlorin gas is brought 

 about by the action of sulphuric acid, either on a mixture of chlorid 

 of sodium and black oxid of manganese or on bleaching powder. 

 Sulphurous anhydrid may be procured by burning sulphur. Some 

 practitioners prescribe small doses of spirits of turpentine in linseed 

 oil. The system requires good support, and the diet should therefore 

 be liberal and nutritious. Equal parts of sulphate of iron, gentian, 

 and ginger make an excellent tonic. 



Prevention. — Avoid pastures notorious for generating verminous 

 bronchitis. 



PLEURODYNIA. 



Pleurodynia is a term applied to rheumatism of the intercostal 

 muscles, the apparent symptoms being very similar to those of 

 pleurisy. The animal is stiff, is not inclined to turn around, and 

 the ribs are kept in a fixed state as much as possible. Pleurodynia 

 may be distinguished from pleurisy by the coexistence of rheuma- 

 tism in other parts and by the comparative absence of fever, cough. 

 the friction sound, and the effusion into the chest. The treatment for 

 this affection is the same as that for rheumatism affecting other 

 parts. 



