34:8 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



vannah Itepuhlican^ ^ogs, and the buzzards in Burke County, 

 Georgia, that have eaten the flesh of cattle that have died of 

 the black tongue, have perished from the effects of such poison- 

 ous diet. The cause of this malignant disease does not seem 

 to have been yet ascertained, though by many it is attributed 

 to the rust, which, in various parts of the Southern States, as 

 elsewhere, has affected the grain crops, and, it is said, in some 

 places, the grass also. The cattle are attacked by stiffness, and 

 walk as though foundered, while froth is discharged in large 

 quantities from the mouth ; they can eat nothing, fall away 

 rapidly, and the tongue and gums become dreadfully swollen, 

 and turn black, and death speedily releases them from their 

 agony." 



Treatment of Black Tongue. — The rapid progress which 

 usually attends this dreadful epizootic calls for prompt and en- 

 ergetic treatment. It is evidently a congestive disease, and 

 very apt to run into the typhoid stage and end in sudden death. 

 The moment an animal is suspected to be the subject of this 

 malady, he should be drenched with table salt, twelve ounces ; 

 warm water, one quart ; to which add tincture of capsicum, two 

 ounces. This medicine will act as a powerful antiseptic and 

 stimulating tonic, thus preserving the animal tissues against 

 putrescence ; and at the same time it relieves the venous con- 

 gestion. If, on applying the hand to any part of the body, a 

 crackling sound is elicited, the animal is then said to be emphy- 

 sematous, which signifies an accumulation of gas beneath the 

 skin. The patient should tl»en be immediately drenched with 

 two ounces of pyroligneous acid, twenty-eight drops of pure oil 

 of sassafras, linseed tea one quart. Mix the oil with the lat- 

 ter, then add the acid. After having drenched the animal, 

 apply a portion of the following to the tumefactions, or em- 

 physematous region : — 



Soft Soap, 4 ounces. 



Oil of Saasafras, i ounc*. 



Dissolve the sassafras in two ounces of alcohol. 



Tincture of Capsicum, 2 ounces. 



Tincture of Peruvian Bark, 1 pint. 



Mix, and rub the external surface with a portion of the 

 same. 



