114 THK NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



the appetite may be suspended by any sudden mental affection 

 or emotion." Animals are known to manifest mental emotion 

 when separated from their offspring, or from those with whom 

 they have been accustomed to work or associate, and many 

 cases are on record showing that animals, when deprived of 

 the society of their fellows, refuse their food, and die of grief; 

 so that in this particular the brute does not differ from his 

 master. Is it not a matter of importance then, to ascertain 

 the cause of loss of cud (appetite) before we prescribe red 

 herrings, etc. ? 



" Loss of cud," says Mr. Youatt, " is more a symptom of 

 disease than a disease of itself. It accompanies most inflam- 

 matory complaints, and is often connected with those of debility. 

 It will be the duty of the practitioner to ascertain the cause of 

 this suspension of second mastication, and to adapt his mode 

 of treatment to the nature of that cause. A dose of physic, 

 with a small portion of aromatic medicine, will be indicated 

 if any fever can be detected ; more than the usual quantity of 

 aromatic should be added in the absence of fever, and still 

 more, with tonic and alterative medicine, if general debility is 

 indicated. The caraway and ginger powder are the best aro- 

 matics, and will supersede every other ; the gentian and 

 ginger, with epsom salts, will prove a very useful tonic and 

 alterative, in cases of loss of cud, that cannot be traced to any 

 particular diseased state of the animal." A word to the far- 

 mer, and I have done. If you have permitted your animals 

 to subsist on innutritious diet, so their digestive powers have 

 been overtaxed, and that function is paralyzed, then the blame 

 rests with you. On the other hand, have you been preparing 

 them for market, piling on the fat, at the same time de- 

 priving them of pure air and exercise ? if so, you are equally 

 blamable. Is your barn and dairy management consistent with 

 the received opinion of those who are the best judges in these 

 matters? if not, make them so, and depend upon it, your 

 cattle will thrive and be blessed with a natural appetite ; for 

 disease in nine cases out of ten, results from violating the laws 

 of nature. 



