DISEASES OE THE OX AND SHEEP. 481 



we shall, in the first instance, draw the attention of our readers 

 to the malady known as thrush and also as aphtha. 



By the term " thrush," or "aphtha/' we understand a condition 

 characterised hy the appearance in the mouth of a number of 

 small vesicles or tiny bladders containing a clear fluid. The 

 usual seats of these elevations are the inner surfaces of the 

 cheeks and the surface of the tongue. The mouth is very sore, 

 and the animal has diflBculty in masticating hard food, and 

 swallows not without pain. The vesicles soon burst, leaving 

 little ulcerated patches in various places. The tongue is often 

 swollen, and saliva is discharged from the mouth, which is hot 

 and inflamed. 



As a rule thrush is not a serious disease, being speedily over ; 

 yet in some instances the vesicles are more widespread, invading 

 the gullet and even the stomach and intestines. In such 

 instances there is much prostration, and death may ensue. As 

 in the human species, young animals, especially sucking calves, 

 are often attacked. Our readers will understand that thrush 

 bears no relationship with foot-and-mouth disease, which is 

 termed aphtha-epizootica. We have already discussed the 

 nature and cause of the latter plague, and we may here mention 

 that thrush, though commonly depending upon digestive dis- 

 turbance as its chief cause, has in some instances been shown 

 to be caused by the growth of a fungus termed the Oidium 

 Albicans, which spreads in whitish patches on the cheeks, 

 tongue, and lips. Thrush in a mild form is especially common 

 in young cattle and lambs during the teething time. In 

 ordinary cases of thrush, a gentle aperient should be given, and 

 a gargle of chlorate of potassium (fifteen grains to each ounce 

 of water) should be used for the mouth twice or three times 

 daily ; or, if preferred, a gargle of alum (fifteen grains to each 

 ounce of water) maybe substituted. The diet should be laxative, 

 ^nd no hard food should be allowed. In very severe cases, 

 carbonate of ammonium and other stimulant remedies are 

 necessary, in order to combat the severe prostration. 



Concerning the diseases of the tongue of the ox we shall not 

 have much to say, for we have, under the heading of Actinomy- 

 cosis, already discussed in detail this by far the most important 

 and most serious of all diseases of this organ, and so we shall 

 proceed at once to the consideration of hoven. Of paralysis of 



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