THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 275 



A few doses of nitre will probably moderate the heart's ac- 

 tion, and relieve the pain. Should it fail to do so, I should give 

 a couple of drachms of fluid extract of Indian hemp, and re- 

 peat the dose at intervals of two hours, until some symptoms 

 of improvement are observed. Should I fail, in the exhibition 

 of the above remedies, to lessen the heart's action, and the pulse 

 be fifty or more per minute, the breathing hurried, and the 

 pain tormenting, I should then drench the animal with a full 

 dose of glauber salts. 



The bicarbonate of soda is a very valuable adjunct in the 

 treatment of acute rheumatism, because, in seven cases out of 

 ten, the whole system is in an acid condition ; and if we can 

 (in the language of the chemist) saturate it with alkali, or, in 

 other words, establish an alkaline condition, our patient is then 

 on the high road to health. 



Now, in case a cathartic be indicated, we must consider the 

 condition of the patient. He may be suffering excruciating tor- 

 ment, from inflammation of the pleura, pericardium, or synovial 

 membranes ; and if so, our object must be to mitigate pain, in 

 the use of Indian hemp, or some other narcotic. Should the 

 patient, therefore, exhibit lameness in one or more of the ex- 

 tremities, and the joints of the hind or fore limbs become swollen 



the potassa was reduced to drachm doses, nausea and vomiting followed, 

 which were relieved by vesication with aqua-ammonia, the blister being 

 sprinkled with half a grain of morphine. The patient recovered. 

 Another physician had used the remedy to the extent of half an ounce in 

 twenty-four hours, for three successive days. He found that if the salt 

 be given well diluted, it will purge, and vice versa. The physicians of 

 the Massachusetts General Hospital had used the remedy, one ounce in 

 twenty -four hours, without good effects, and its use was abandoned. It 

 appears to be conceded, that it is safe to give the remedy in this quan- 

 tity, although symptoms of gastritis sometimes followed its use ; but it 

 was always largely diluted, and generally in demulcent liquids. We are 

 in the habit of giving it in rheumatism and other inflammatory affections, 

 in doses of twenty to thirty grains, every two or three hours, during the 

 period of excitement or exacerbation, combined with tartar emetic ; but 

 have been deterred from the exhibition of the larger doses above men- 

 tioned, from fear of its toxical effect. We have found this combination 

 particularly useful in pneumonia, — Memphis Med. Recorder. 



