NEAT CATTLE. 



213 



Symptoms generally exhibit themselves but a short 

 time before the disease becomes violent. The animal 

 walks about without any apparent object in view ; all 

 food is refused, and there is evidence of impaired vision. 

 The eye is first of a fiery appearance, increasing to a 

 deepened red color, until the animal staggers and falls, 

 when, if he rises, there will be trembling in the whole of 

 the muscular system. He usually dies after a few con- 

 vulsions, seldom lingering beyond a few hours. Some- 

 times he falls suddenly, as if from a heavy blow, and 

 expires in a few minutes. 



Cause. Numerous investigations have been made by 

 practical, observing men, and by men of science, ana 

 lyzing soils, waters, and plants, and rewards have been 

 offered by legislatures, and yet no satisfactory cause has 

 been assigned for this terrible malady ; but of late years 

 it is supposed to be caused by poison oak, ( Rvs toxicoden- 

 dron,) a shrub that grows from one to three feet high, and is 

 peculiar to flat lands, as this disease prevails only where 

 this plant is found. It disappears before good cultiva- 

 tion ; hence its greater prevalence in new countries. 



As to a remedy, it is very seldom found. It is said 

 that if the bowels can be opened, the animal generally 

 recovers ; but this is very difficult indeed. First, attend 

 to back-raking, and then give several large injections 

 with a double quantity of Cayenne pepper or tobacco, to 

 excite a discharge from the bowels. Then give a large 

 dose of physic, of bne kind, and follow with half doses 

 or more, of other kinds, at intervals of four or five hours. 

 Give also a diuretic. In addition, steam or sweat the 

 animal smartly, by standing him over vessels of hot 

 water, to which add hot stones, to keep up the heat, and 

 lay rugs or quilts over him, to hold the steam, and apply 

 cloths from hot water to the extremities, that do not have 

 the benefit of the steaming. This steaming and sweat- 

 ing will aid in the operation of the medicine, and be 

 beneficial also from the perspiration and warmth at the 

 surface. At the time of steaming, it would be well to 

 pour down several quarts of quite warm sage, penny- 

 royal, or other hot herb tea, to which add a little Cay- 

 enne. This will tend to excite the action of the stom- 

 ach, and increase the perspiration 



