92 EPIDEMIC OP 1840 AND 1841. 



has resembled other epidemics. The cause of this disease is altoge- 

 ther unknown : it is probably owing to some atmospheric agency, 

 the nature of which it is impossible to ascertain. 



The disease is decidedly constitutional, though manifestino" itself 

 locally in a peculiar m.anner: its nature is that of a low fever, great 

 debility quickly supervening, and sometimes exhibiting a tendency to 

 putridity. Jf the ver)"- earliest symptoms are observed, it Avill gener- 

 ally be found that cold extremities, a staring coat, and indeed a cold 

 fit is exhibited ; but a reaction soon follows, in which the limbs be- 

 come hot, and then saliva issues from tlie mouth, and the tongue is 

 somewhat swollen. At the same time some degree of tenderness in 

 the feet is manifested, and the pulse is quickened and the beast is 

 altogether feverish. The soreness of the mouth and feet increases, 

 small bladders are found on the tongue, the lips and other parts of 

 the mouth, and likewise between the hoofs, and sometimes also on 

 the teats. The animal gradually ceases to feed, from the pain expe- 

 rienced in the act, and sometimes the appetite itself fails. The blad- 

 ders become opaque, and at length burst and discharge a watery 

 fluid ; and this increases the soreness of the parts. The flow of saliva 

 increases, and in a few days the cuticle sloughs off. Sometimes there 

 are swellings along the back and loins, which appear to contain air. 

 The disease thus continues, becoming gradually more severe until 

 four or five days from the commencement, when amendment generally 

 takes place, and the beast gradually recovers. Sometimes, however, 

 the complaint becomes complicated with inflammation of some organ 

 •^such as the lungs, and the danger is then much greater, or it may 

 take on a low typhoid form, under which the animal may sink. In 

 milch cows the udder is often affected, occasionally much inflamed, 

 and attended with danger. 



The treatment of this disease must be moderate in its character, and 

 should consist in checking the fever, relaxing the bowels, healing the 

 sores on the mouth and feet, and afterwards assisting the strength 

 with tonics. 



Bleeding should in general be abstained from, unless there is some 

 severe local inflammation present, calculated to increase the debility; 

 but the following laxative should be administered without loss of 

 time : — 



RECIPE (No. 38). 



Take epsom salts, half a pound ; sulphur, two or four ounces ; nitre, half an ounce ; 

 ginger, two (irachins; spirit of nitrous ether, one ounce. Dissolved in wanu water 

 or gruel, and repeated once a day for several days. 



The following liniment may be applied to the mouth several times 



a day : — 



RECIPE (No. 30). 



Take alum and white vitriol, of each half an ounce ; treacle, a quarter of a pint. 

 Dissolved in a pint of warm water. 



The feet should be carefully pared, and if much inflamed a poultice 

 may be applied ; but if not so, and there is a sore, equal parts of 



