52 RHEUMATISM, OR JOINT-FELLOX. 



over the bocl}^ and to such a degree that the beast is unable to rise 

 \vilhout assistance. 



This is generally termed jnini-fdlon. Old cows are very subject to 

 it, and especially a short time before calving; but milch cows and 

 3'oung cattle are oftener attacked by it at the spring of the year. It 

 is mostly occasioned by the animal being kept in a state of poverty 

 during the winter, and suddenly exposed to the vicissitudes of the 

 weather in the spring, or to the inclemency of the north or north- 

 easterly winds, especially in low situations. 



This disease sometimes comes on suddenly, and is present in a 

 very acute form, being in fiict a severe chill : these acute symptoms 

 may subside, and be succeeded by others, milder but more obstinate. 

 Sometimes abscesses will form amongst the muscles, or the sheaths 

 or bodies of the tendons ; and the capsular ligaments of the joints are 

 often distended with synovia. These symptoms are particularly un- 

 favourable. 



In this disease we find the same class of membranes, viz., the 

 serous, diseased throuo-hout the bodv, and an examination after death 

 sometimes exhibits, in addition to the diseased appearances before 

 noticed, the membrane lining the heart, the chest, and the abdomen, 

 considerably affected, either wholly or in part, and sometimes a con- 

 siderable effusion of water in these cavities. 



As soon as the disease makes its appearance, the beast must be 

 taken to a warm cow-house or stable, or some situation sheltered 

 from the severity of the weather. The following purging drink should 

 then be given : — 



RECrPE (Xo. 7). 

 Sulphur Pur^inrr Drink.— Take sulphur, eiglit ounce;: ; ginger, half an ounce. Mix 

 ■with a quart of warm gruel. This drink should be repeated every third day if ttie 

 bowels appear to require it. 



The bowels having been genth* opened, a drink which may cause 

 some determination to the skin, and increase the insensible perspira- 

 tion, should be administered. 



RECIPE (No. F>. 

 R/ieumatic Drink.— Tnke; nitre, two dracliins ; tartarizod antimony, one drachm; 

 spirit of nitrous etli'^r, one ounce ; aniseed powder, an ounce. Mix with a pint of 

 very thick gruel, and repeat the dnsc morning and night, except wljen it is necessary 

 to give the sulphur purging drink (No. 7). 



If there should be much fever at any period of the complaint, the 

 sulphur drink must be exchanged for the purging drink (No. 2, p. 47), 

 and three or four quarts of blood taken away. 



If any of the joints should continue swelled and painful, they 

 should be rubbed twice a day, and for a quarter of an hour each time, 

 with a gently stiumlating embrocation. 



RECIPE (No. 9). 



Rhr.umalic Embrocation.— Take neat's foot oil, four ouncs; and caniphorated oil, 

 spirit of turpentine, and laudanum, each one ounce ; oil of origanum, one drachm. 

 Mi.\. 



