RESPIRATORY DISEASES OF THE OX. 459 



RED WATER. 



This disease is also known by the name of bloody nrine, black 

 water, hipmatnria, etc. It is a disease pecnliar to the bovine 

 tribe, characterized by the emission of red, chocolate or black 

 nrine, containing albumen, and the coloring matter of the blood 

 in a broken-down condition. 



Causes. — The immediate causes of the disease are to be found 

 in the nature of the food. Turnips, when given overnabun- 

 dantly and without sufficient mixture of other food, will produce 

 it. The disease is due also to insufficient feeding. It is always 

 seen on pasture lands, and never in stall-fed animals, except 

 when produced by turnips grown on damp lands. Red water 

 prevails among calves, oxen, and 'bulls, and takes on an enzootic 

 form in impoverished and woody pastures. It is seen most fre- 

 quently on damp lands and in wet seasons. 



Symptoms. — There is great prostration, febrile excitement, 

 palpitation of the heart, a trembling pulse, pallor of the mucous 

 membrane, and diarrhoea, succeeded by obstinate constipation. 

 AVhen following parturition, it is developed in from eight to 

 fourteen days after, with general derangement, diarrhoea, and 

 loss of milk. The pulse is quick, the back is arched. Constipa- 

 tion succeeds the diarrhoea, and the faeces passed are dark in 

 color. Milk drawn from the cow prior to the attack is particu- 

 larly disposed to froth in the pail,' and may have a red settlement 

 at tbe bottom after standing. 



Treatment. — Good, nutritious food is the remedy. If this be 

 given the disease will be arresited. The animal should be fed 

 on eggs and milk: The chlorate of potash, in ounce doses, may 

 be given. A pint of oil may be given, and strict attention should 

 be paid to the diet. 



