^ THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. oio 



IS engaged in returning blood from the vast venous plexuses 

 ot' tlie foot, which requires to come in contact with the lungs, 

 for purification and oxygenization. Any impediments, such as 

 severing a vein, which interrupts the free circulation or return 

 of blood to the heart and lungs, cannot be beneficial, but 

 otherwise. 



It will be seen that the vein is nothing more than an elastic 

 hollow tube, a mere vehicle, through which the blood courses ; 

 therefore, it cannot be supposed to have any specific power over 

 other parts of the organization, in warding off disease. 



I shall not trouble the reader with any farther remarks on 

 the subject of irrational and barbarous prevention ; for I pre- 

 sume that the introduction of the above paragraph will answer 

 all the purposes intended. 



Among physicians, the disease is known as hcematosepsis ; and 

 our experience is, that it usually occurs among young stock, 

 and generally in well-bred animals in high condition, or in 

 native stock in low condition ; yet it may occur in the system 

 of any bovine, as the result of sudden change in the quality 

 of the food. 



Treatment of Black Leg. — It is an unfortunate occurrence 

 that this disease should ever have been classed as an inflam- 

 matory affection, for the error has led to a system of practice 

 disastrous as the cattle plague. The following paragraph from 

 Youatt, will serve to show the orthodox method of treating in- 

 flammatory fever, and will also explain the reason why a great 

 proportion of the animals treated die. 



" The very name of the disease — inflammatory fever — indi- 

 cates the mode of treatment. In a case of excessive vascular 

 action, the first and most important step is copious depletion. 

 As much blood must be taken as the animal will bear to lose ; 

 and the stream must flow on until the animal staggers or 

 threatens to fall. Here, more than in any other disease, there 

 must be no foolish directions about quantities. As much blood 

 must be taken away as can be got ; for it is only by the bold 

 and persevering use of depletory measures that a malady can 

 be subdued that runs its course so rapidly. 



