

358 REARING AND FEEDING OF ANIMALS. 



ment cf these diseases is proper; but the subsequent treatment depends upon 

 the stages of the disease at which the remedies are applied, and other circo in- 

 stances. 



Cattle are subject to colds, which frequently terminate fatally. Colds are 

 brought on, amongst other causes, by sudden changes of temperature, whether 

 of the atmosphere or of the place of feeding of the animal. Bleeding may in 

 most of these cases be proper, and in all cases shelter should be afforded, and 

 warm food supplied, as mashes, boiled turnips, and the like. 



Cattle are subject to different diseases, which receive the general name of 

 cholic, or gripes. Diarrhosa and dysentery are also diseases of cattle, and many 

 diseases might be mentioned; but it would be of no avail to enumerate them, 

 without entering into lengthened details. 



In general, what falls within the province of the farmer maybe compre- 

 hended under the head of food and general treatment. The medicines which 

 he should venture to administer should be cautiously given. Where violent 

 inflammatory diseases attack the animal, he may always venture to bleed in 

 the first stage; when costiveness occurs, he may administer some laxative 

 medicine; when diarrhoea or looseness occurs, he may give some laudanum, 

 and in all cases mashes of boiled or steamed food. The bleeding of the ox, it 

 is to be observed, should always be large. It may be continued until the ani- 

 mal appears to stagger, but then, or whenever the pulse is affected, it must 

 cease. 



One of the most frequent diseases of cattle, with regard to which the far- 

 mer has to act upon the instant, is hoven, or inflation of the rumen. The 

 paunch, or first stomach, of ruminating animals, is of large size, and as the 

 green food which is taken into it is frequently charged with moisture, the 

 stomach is not only overloaded, and unable to carry on its functions, but the 

 mass fermenting, air is generated, by which the stomach becomes so distended, 

 that either a rupture of it takes place, or the animal dies of suffocation. This 

 disease most frequently occurs when animals are turned into rich succulent 

 pastures, particularly of clovers, when charged with the moraine: dews. 



Sometimes powerful stimulants are given to assist the action of the stomach, 

 and these are often sufficient^ or a hollow flexible tube is introduced into the 

 stomach through the mouth, that the air may be permitted to escape. Should 

 this operation not succeed, then an opening must be instantly made through 

 the left side into the paunch. This is usually done by a pen-knife, while a quill, 

 or something similar, is introduced, to allow the air to escape. But recently 

 the stomach-pump has been employed for this and other diseases, and with the 

 best effects. It is fitted to withdraw instantly the contents of the stomach, and 

 also to inject liquids, so that, when the mass of the stomach is too hard, the 

 matter may be first diluted by injected liquids, and then withdrawn. The 

 stomach-pump is also suited to various diseases of the horse, and may be formed 

 of smaller size for the sheep; so that by means of this instrument, the lives of 

 many valuable animals may be saved upon a farm. 



III. THE SHEEP. 



THE sheep is, perhaps, all things considered, one of the 

 most valuable animals given to man by a beneficent Provi- 

 dence. No animal is of greater utility. Inhabiting almost 

 every part of the globe from Iceland to the torrid zone, sheep 

 not only supply food and clothing to the tens of thousands of 

 persons who cultivate and rear them, but the wool they afford 

 sustain in active employment large and extensive manufactur- 

 ing establishments, thus contributing in large proportion to the 



