58 R E D - W A T E R . 



CHAPTER XIV. 



RED-WATER. 



TfiE nature of this disease has been very much misunderstood. It 

 cciis-ists of a dischartre of hiorh-coloured urine, and therefore has been 

 attributed to an inflammatory aflection of the kidneys. It will gene- 

 rally be found to begin in another organ, the liver, and to be connect- 

 ed, in the first stage at least, far more with disease of that gland than 

 of the kidney. 



There are evidently two distinct species of red-water. 



One, but which occurs most seldom, begins with decided symp- 

 toms of fever. There is shivering, succeeded by increased heat of the 

 body ; the muzzle dry ; working of the flanks ; urine of a red colour, 

 evidently tinged with blood, and occasionally consisting almost en- 

 tirely of blood, discharged in small quantities, and frequently with 

 considerable pain ; loss of appetite. As the disease proceeds, the 

 animal loses strength ; the bowels become constipated or very loose; 

 and the urine of a dark colour, approaching to black. 



Very early in the complaint the" loins become exceedingly tender, 

 and the animal shrinks when they are pressed upon ; some heat is 

 likewise felt there, showing evidently the seat and nature of the dis- 

 ease. It sometimes proceeds from cold, particularly when beasts are 

 turned into low pasture grounds at the spring of the year. It also 

 frequently seizes young cattle that are feeding, or in good condition ; 

 for a fulness of blood in the system renders them more liable to the 

 complaint. 



Sometimes inflammation of the kidneys proceeds from external 

 injuries ; such as a violent bruise across the loins, in consequence of 

 other beasts ramping on them, or a severe blow in the region of the 

 kic^eys. 



The discharge of bloody urine may either proceed from inflamma- 

 tion of the kidneys or a rupture of some of the blood-vessels, and in 

 either case blood is discharged with the urine, and may be often de- 

 tected in clots; whilst in the other kind of red-water, although the 

 urine is dark in colour, it does not contain blood. The former disease 

 is more frequent with bulls and oxen, and the latter with milch cows. 



When the kidneys are inflamed, and the animal evinces tenderness 

 on pressing the loins, the treatment should consist of blood-letting, 



fiurging, and the application of sheep-skins and stimulants to the 

 oins. But in some cases where blood is discharged with the urine 

 without any inflammatory appearances, the exhibition of astringents 

 and stimulants, such as the following, have effected a cure : — 



RECIPE (No. 20). 



Take oil of juniper, two to four drachms: tincture of opium, one ounce; oil o 

 turpentine, one ouucu. Mix, and give in a pint of linseed lea, once or twice a day 



