THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 115 



INPLAMMATION OF THE BOWEJ.S.— Enteritis. 



This disease occurring in any of the divisions of the intes- 

 tines is one of frequent occurrence ; yet among cattle, it is 

 not hable to become so suddenly fatal as among horses. 



This disease, bears some analogy to colic, in the suddenness of 

 its attack ; a healthy animal is all at once attacked with abdominal 

 pain ; gets down, and moans from incessant or persistent pain. 

 The pulse generally ranges from 60 to 70 ; rumination has 

 ceased, and the faeces is hard, covered with slime or streaked with 

 blood ; the flanks heave (as the saying is), the limbs are 

 tremulous, and the animal has a staggering gait ; the visible 

 surfaces of the eye, mouth, and nostrils are reddened ; pressure 

 upon the abdominal region, — which is generally tucked up, — 

 elicits symptoms of pain ; as the disease proceeds these symp- 

 toms are aggravated, and intestinal hemorrhage or mortification, 

 terminates the sufferings of the animal. The post mortem 

 examination generally reveals engorgement of the blood-vessels 

 of the intestines, with highly carbonized and coagulated blood ; 

 the lining membrane is of a dark velvet color, and the large 

 intestines are more or less, inflamed or gangrenous. 



Treatment. — The principle objects in the treatment of this 

 disease are to lubricate the interior of the stomach and intes- 

 tines with mucilage of slippery elm, and to equalize the 

 circulation and nervous action over the general system ; the 

 remedies are as follows : — 



Mucilage of Slippery Elm, 1 quart. 



Powdered Gum Assafoetida, 2 drachms. 



" Lobelia, 1 drachm. 



The above dose may be repeated at the expiration of eight 

 hours, in the mean time apply a mustard poultice to a part of 

 the -abdomen, and excite the circulation on the surface of the 

 body and extremities, by friction with wisps of straw. 



An occasional anti-spasmodic enema should be thrown into 

 the rectum ; two quarts of hot water, to one ounce of powered 

 lobelia, are about the proper proportions. Should the patient 

 appear to suffer fi'om distention of the intestines with gas, 



