THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 59 



" The following three conditions in the administration of 

 muriatic acid for the cure of murrain, are essential : — 



" 1. The acid must be given early at the commencement of 

 the disease, for the farther the symptoms are advanced, the 

 more difficult will become the cure ; and should internal mor- 

 tification have already set in, it will be too late to attempt it. 



" 2. The acid must be given in strong doses, at short inter- 

 vals of time, according to the prescription about to be recom- 

 mended ; and the greater the intensity of the murrain, the 

 stronger the doses must be. 



" 3. The acid must be unadulterated, strong, and fuming, 

 and if of a weaker strength, it must be given in proportionately 

 increased doses. 



" Dr. Pessina recommends the iron-impregnated muriatic 

 acid, in preference to the simple acid : the former, however, 

 requires certain indispensable conditions to be attended to in 

 its admihistration. 



" SYMPTOMS. 



" 1. Period of Sichening. — The animal gradually ceases to 

 chew the cud or take food. It becomes melancholy, languid, 

 and indifferent, frequently shaking its head, while its ears and 

 horns become alternately hot and cold. The pulse is small and 

 quick ; in many cases there is a cough, the dung is sparing, 

 and usually dry ; the urine is, in all cases, turbid and reddish 

 in color. 



"2. Period of DevelopmerU. — the fever and faintness in- 

 crease ; the animal sinks into a stupid apathy, even in the case 

 of those which previously were the most frolicsome of the 

 herd, but which now become insensible to objects around them, 

 and heedless to their herdsman*s call. There is frequently a 

 rising at the stomach, and rejection of its contents, the eyes 

 sink inward, the animal begins to shiver, has pains in th^ under 

 part of the body and spine, and unwillingly submits to have 

 the back stroked ; a yellow mucus commonly flows from the 

 nostrils. The animal continues to refuse the smallest amount 



