Red Water and Black Water, 301 



tion of the heart, a rapid arid trembling pulse, and at first 

 diarrhea, which is followed by obstinate constipation. 



In the form which attacks cows after calving, there is, in 

 addition to the above signs, loss of milk, and the vagina has 

 a contracted or puckered-up appearance. The milk some- 

 times froths unusually in the pail, and on standing deposits 

 a reddish sediment. 



The black water is said by some writers to appear after 

 the red, and to be a si^n of the advance of the disease to a 

 more serious stage. When the change takes place from red 

 to black water, the animal often stales several times of a 

 natural color. 



Treatment. — As the complaint is essentially one of faulty 

 or insufficient food, the most pressing rule is to put the ani- 

 mal at once on sound and abundant diet. It should be taken 

 from a low lying or scanty pasturage, to one well drained 

 and set in succulent grass ; or if stall-fed, turnips should be 

 discarded, and plenty of boiled meal, corn, bran and sound 

 hay be supplied. Besides this, rich animal food is of gi^at 

 value, as half a dozen eggs beat up in half a gallon of milk 

 several times a day. 



The violent purgative medicines, and the strong as- 

 tringents so much and so indiscreetly urged by old writers, 

 should be avoided. The bowels do best with moderate doses 

 of oil, as : — 



No. 339. Castor oil, 2 oz. i 



Linseed oil, » 1 pt. 



Give at a dose, and repeat every two days for three or four times. 



The diarrhea generally present at the outset of the disease 

 should not be checked, as it is an effort of nature to relieve 

 the overloaded circulation. And for the constipation which 

 follows, the above oil mixture will be sufficient to relieve it. 



Along with the above, a chlorate of potash and iron mix- 

 ture is always of great benefit : — 



