288 Diseases of Cattle, 



nor well marked. There may be dullness from water on tlie 

 lungs, and also dropsy of the belly. 



The disease is very variable in its duration, sometimes 

 running its course in a week or two, sometimes extending 

 over several months. 



In cases where the serous membranes are most exposed to 

 the tuberculous change, the joints are not unfrequently at- 

 tacked, producing marked and incurable lameness. Ignor- 

 ant farriers often treat these cases with firing, setons and 

 blisters, and thus add still further to the misery of the beast. 



Treatment. — To have any chance of success, the treat- 

 ment must be begun in the earliest stage of the disease. 

 Cows should not be milked nor oxen worked, fattening food 

 should be given, careful attention paid to their housing and 

 healthy surroundings, and the digestive organs well looked 

 after. 



The most appropriate food is milk, oil cake, sound hay 

 and ground corn. Internally, cod liver oil should be given 

 in doses from a quarter to a half pint daily. A seton should 

 be inserted and turned daily, to counteract the process of dis- 

 organization. 



Change of climate does not seem to be of any benefit in 

 the consumption of cattle. On the contrary, the disease is 

 often produced by such a change, although from a low and 

 swampy to a dry and well drained locality. 



As the hereditary character of the disease is universally 

 recognized, it is not desirable to raise calves of consumptive 

 mothers. They should be slaughtered, and others obtained 

 for keeping. 



