MILK I-EVEE.] 



CATTLE, AND THEIE VAEIETIES. 



[bed "WATER. 



salts should be given, in order to keep up a 

 gentle state of activity in the bowels. 



Gripes. — Toung calves are frequently at- 

 tacked by this disease after having sour milk 

 given to them. It is attended with acute 

 pain, as may be inferred from their pawing 

 the ground, and kicking the belly with their 

 hind legs. 



In treating for it, give — a cupful of pepper- 

 mint-water, and a teaspoonful of laudanum. 



Inflammation. — This disease indicates itself 

 by a coldness in the horns and extremities, and 

 by the animal exhibiting symptoms of enduring 

 both acute and continuous pains. Attempts 

 to cure it should never be made but by such as 

 have a thorough knowledge of nature. It is, 

 therefore, indispensable to call in a veterinary 

 practitioner ; and the same should be done in 

 all cases of acute disorders, such as stranguary, 

 staggers, &c. 



Jaundice, or the Yellows. — This is one of 

 those forms of felon to which cattle are very 

 liable. It is found more particularly to attack 

 white cattle, and is easily recognised. Its 

 signs are marked by a yellowness of the eyes, 

 and also under the anus; when costiveuess 

 takes place, the appetite becomes dull, and 

 rapid debility ensues. 



In treating for it, give — 1 dr. ginger, i oz. 

 Barbadoes aloes, 4 oz. common salt, 1 quart 

 home-brewed ale, made into gruel. 



Loss of Cud. — This disease sometimes affects 

 ruminating animals, and is indicated by the 

 incapacity of the stomach to throw back 

 into the mouth the half-masticated food which 

 has been swallowed, to be again chewed. 



In treating for it, give — 6 dr. Barbadoes 

 aloes, 1 oz. allspice, 3 dr. ginger, 6 oz. common 

 salt, in a quart of gruel. 



Milk Fever. — Cows, which are deep milkers, 

 are, especially in summer, very liable to tliis 

 disease; to prevent which the utmost care 

 should be taken. AVhen it has occurred, it is 

 always best to call in the assistance of the 

 veterinary practitioner, rather than for those 

 ■who, not having m uch experien try to deal 

 with it themselves. The recommendations 

 given by the author of The Coio, are— to milk 

 the cow, before calving, regularly three times 

 a day, provided the udder be much distended. 

 To keep her as cool and as quiet as possible, 

 and to give her mashes of bran only, for a few 

 688 



days after calving. This is cooling, and some- 

 what laxative. If the udder should be hard — 

 which it should not be after this treatment — 

 it may be rubbed with marsh-mallow ointment. 

 A gentle dose of purgative medicine can be 

 given if the cow is in very high condition ; and 

 she should be driven a few miles every day 

 before calving. 



Pleuro-Pneumonia. — Tliere is no specific 

 remedy, with which we are acquainted, for this 

 disease. A gill of spirits of turpentine, and a 

 gill of spirits of sweet nitre, has been success- 

 fully tried ; but it is a desperate resource ; and 

 should the animal be fat, it is wiser to dispose 

 of it at once, before the flesh gets tainted with 

 the disease, and partially corrupt. 



Quarter Felon. — This is one of the most 

 stubborn of all the diseases to which cattle 

 are subject. It is called Inflammatory Eever, or 

 Quarter 111 ; and, although there are instances 

 of its having been cured, they are rare, except 

 in cases where the disease has been early 

 arrested in its progress. It makes its appear- 

 ance usually before the calves are a year old — 

 seldom after; and, from its being extremely 

 contagious, it has been known to pass through 

 an entire herd before they had reached that 

 period of life. Its first evidences make them- 

 selves known by the calf beginning to loathe 

 its food, and becoming stiff" or lame in one of 

 its feet; and, although the foot may be 

 examined, and no cause of lamene visible, 

 yet the disease will very soon become general. 

 Air-bubbles form between the skin and muscles ; 

 and there is a crackling sensation to the hand, 

 on passing it over the skin, especially in the 

 legs. Inflammatory fever is disorganising the 

 body. Either for prevention, or as a remedy, 

 no specific for it has yet been discovered. The 

 following has been recommended. 



Preventives — as the seton in the dewlap, 

 bleeding in autumn, doses of dyers' madder, 

 &c., are favourite remedies. The seton can 

 do no harm, but it may be tried. 



Bed Water. — In some kinds of pasture, 

 cows are, in summer, frequently attacked with 

 this disease. In treating for it, give — a dose 

 of 8 oz. of Epsom salts, dissolved in a pmt 

 of water. This, if taken in an early stage, will 

 almost invariably set the beast right. If not 

 at band, 1 lb. of common salt may be given, and 

 the dose repeated in case of need. 



