298 VESICULAR EPIDEMIC OF 1841-42. 



or the teats of ewes. The animal first appears strongly 

 averse to feed or walk much ; and, if a cow, she is resist- 

 ful during milking. Then follows smacking, loud and un- 

 mistakable smacking, of the lips : taking up of the fore foot 

 and shaking it. If the udder about this time be observed, 

 little bladders will be seen upon it, and the same vesi- 

 cles will be upon the outside and inside of the mouth, 

 and larger ones upon the tongue. The horn between the 

 claws will also appear sapped, and bulging out. These 

 bladders or vesicles, and swollen horn, will ultimately 

 burst, and a highly vascular, or very irritable surface will 

 be exposed. Recent authors mention complications of 

 this complaint ; but either the treatment has improved, or 

 the disease has of late abandoned much of its virulence, 

 for none are now to be met wath. 



Treatment. — As part of this disease affects the feet, in 

 the first place get the animal under shelter, with plenty of 

 clean straw beneath it. Then cut off the cuticle from those 

 places where the vesicles have burst, and also pare away 

 the horn wherever it is detached ; but be careful to remove 

 too little' rather than too much. With regard to medical 

 measures, so much debility quickly follows this disease, 

 that both bleeding and purging are out of the question. 

 Moderately thick gruel may be placed before the beast, 

 which will sometimes drink freely. Boiled carrots or tur- 

 nips may likewise be put in the manger. Both of these 

 must be repeatedly changed, although neither are touched. 

 The sore places upon the feet, mouth, and teats, may be 

 gently dabbed several times in the course of the day, with 

 a piece of soft rag wetted with the following lotion : — 



Chloride of zinc one draclim. 



Pure water a pint and a half. 



Nothing by the mouth is to be given, excepting a stimu- 

 lating and soothing drink, which may thus be formed, and 

 administered once every day : — 



Sulphuric ether one ounce. 



Laudanum one ounce. 



Water a pint. 



Nothing more is necessary for a perfect cure in most 

 instances ; when complications do appear, they must be 

 treated as directed in other parts of this work. Every 



