28 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OP 



EPIZOOTIC CATARRH. 



Epizootic catarrh is infectious, yet animals having once 

 had an attack of the same may enjoy immunity from it there- 

 after. It usually appears and spreads over various parts of 

 the country, when great variations in the weather are noticed ; 

 it generally appears in the spring, and disappears when the 

 weather becomes warmer and more uniform. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms o^ epizootic catarrh in the early 

 stage does not differ materially from those alluded to in the 

 preceding article (common catarrh), in a very short time, 

 however, the animal begins to grow very weak and becomes 

 debilitated ; tumors form in various parts of the body, emitting 

 when pressed, a crackling sound ; the glands in the region of 

 the throat are enlarged; the neck stiff; the odor from the 

 breath and faeces is very offensive, the animal loses flesh very 

 fast, and unless relieved will surely die. 



Causes of Epizootic Catarrh. — The direct causes of this, 

 like that of any other epizootic and epidemic affections, are in- 

 volved in obscurity ; speculation is rife as regards the causes 

 of cholera and the potato rot, which probably have analagous 

 origins, but it is very difficult if not impossible at the present 

 time, to define the precise character of the morbid germ, which, 

 " like a little leaven," leavens the whole loaf. 



Treatment. — The principal objects in the treatment of this 

 malady are to sustain the vital powers, and thus guard against 

 the subsequent prostration and decomposition which under the 

 orthodox treatment is sure to occur. 



The proper mode of treatment is as follows. Drench the 

 animal with the following : — 



Tincture of Matico, 1 ounce. 



Hyposulphite of Soda, 6 drachms. 



Powdered Goldenseal, 2 drachms. 



Warm Water, 1 pint. 



Having administered the above medicine, anoint the throat 

 and all tumefied parts with a portion of the following counter- 

 irritant : — 



