38 rOSTSCRIPTTO 



duced. As a local application, equal parts of tincture of myrrh and 

 water may be advantageously applied to the mouth, or a solution of 

 common alum in water in the proportion of half an ounce of alum to 

 a pint of water. vShould any considerable degree of fever accompany 

 the soreness of the mouth, tlie fever drink already recommended may 

 be given in half doses, with a scruple of magnesia added to each. 



POSTSCRIPT 



TO 



THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



One of the mopt fatal and extraordinary diseases with which any country lias been 

 infected is that which, in Oliio and other western States, is called the Trembles. 

 Professor Drake, of the Transylvania University, and more recently Doctor J. J. 

 Mcllhenny, of Springfield, Ohio, have both published their views on the subject; and 

 if they have not succeeded in prescribing any effectual remedy, it has not been for 

 want of diligence of research and an obvious benevolence of motive which do them 

 honour. As resulting from the use of the meat and milk of cattle infected with the 

 trembles, is believed to occur one of the most terrible diseases to which the human 

 family is liable, called the Milk Sickness, alias Sick Stomach, " there is, says Dr. 

 Mcllhenny, "no disorder that fills the minds of persons residing within the infected 

 districts with more horror, with more dread, with more foreboding of death, than 

 does this disease." He considers the trembles in cattle to be clearly of vegetable 

 origin, that is produced by animals eating the vegetable, and through them commu- 

 nicated to the person or animal that partakes either of the meat, butter, or milk. 



Dr. T. B. Johnston, whose residence is in Southern Indiana, says that he never 

 knew the trembles to prevail where there was not a free growth of weeds. " I well 

 know that it is circumscribed, tliat a small section will produce the disease, then an 

 exemption for some distance, when it will again recur. So of some farms; a portion 

 will jtroduce it, and the other will not. In fact, there is not a county from Floyd to 

 the mouth of the Wabash, and as far north as White River, that is o.xempt from 

 milk sickness; and it often occurs in both Southern Illinois and Kentucky. I have 

 never heard of it above the 41st degree of north latitude, and it seldom reaches that 

 line. As to the c\t;se of the trembles, Dr. Mcllhenny, who lias devoted much and 

 anxious attention to the subject, says that he differs with Professor Drake as to the 

 true cause — " Our difference, however, consists merely in a name, in distinguishing 

 between a different species of plants of the same genus. He appears to be pretty 

 well satisfied that the Rhus Toxicodendron (Poison Oak) or Rhus Radicans (Poison 

 Vine) is the plant that produces the disease. 



My firm convictions are that the disease termed sick stomach is produced by the 

 Rhus Toxicodendron, or Poison Oak, and that it is a separate and distinct species from 

 tin; Radicans, or Poison Vive. It is further stated that the Poison Oak never vines — 

 that it is never seen to take hold on trees, and that it grows from one to three feet 

 in height ; that it has three, while the Radicans or Poison Vine has five leaves. 



