133 r O S T S C R I P T T o 



tion, artin? imdpr snrli a powprful p\citPinont ns to prorliicn such distrnssin? symp- 

 tom.!, would Mut till! liraiii ttccoinc syiiifiatlKMically aH'fcti'd ? Would we not have ati 

 apparent rase of I'lireuitis ? \Vlicr<'ns, the uiiud, freneraf/ij, reuiaiiis quiet. Wo 

 3>)nii;liiiies see incnlal di.'iuessioii, but rar<!ly ever mental aberration." 



Professor Drake enumerates the animals liable to this disease, as the cow, horse, 

 ■hecp, hog, dog, goat (doubtful), and the rnule and buzzard. " The characteristic 

 symptoms," says he, " are so inucii alike in ail, that an account of them in one of 

 the sptcies will serve for the wliole," and he selects the cow. 



" In the earliest stages of this malady, in the cow, it may not display its exist- 

 ence, if the attack be not violent and the animal left to it.se]f; for in the besinning, 

 as in all staiies of the disorder, the appetite seems to be unimpaired, and the tliirs-t 

 not increased. Even this early stajre, not less than the more advanced, appears, 

 however, to be attended with constipation of the bowels. The animal at length 

 ueirins to mope and droop, to walk slower than its fellows, and to falter in its cait. 

 .f, under these circun)stances, it should be driven, and attempt to run, the debility 

 and stiffness of its muscles are immediately apparent. It fails rapidly, trembles, 

 pants, ami sometimes seems blind, as it runs against obstacles, but this may arise 

 .roin vertigo ; at length it falls down, lies on its siile quivering, and is not, perhaps, 

 able to rise for several hours, sometimes never. Now and then, the quivering amounts 

 to a slight convulsion. Wiien the disease is not violent, the animal, after a long»T 

 or shorter period, is a^'ain on its feet; but its capacity for muscular effort is greatly 

 unpaired, and, if hurried in the slishtest degree, it is seized with trembling and stiff- 

 less, and may even fall again. Of tlie state of the circulation, when it lies seriously 

 II, but little is known, as the pulse has not been inspected. One observer perceived 

 .liat the nose of a heifer was hot, but others have found that part and the skin 

 generally cool. Perhaps their observations were made in different stages of the dis- 

 ease. While lying unable to walk, the animal will still eat freely, and also take 

 drink, but does not seem to have excessive thirst. Its costiveness continues to the 

 last when the malady goes on to a fatal termination. Of the symptoms which pre- 

 cede dissolution we could not obtain a satisfactory account. Our witnesses generally 

 declared, however, that the abdomen does not swell in any stage of the disease. 

 When it assumes a chronic form, the animal is liable, for weeks and even months, 

 to muscular infirmity under exercise, looks gaunt and thin, its hair assumes a dead 

 appearance, and sometimes falls off in considerable quantities, especially from the 

 neck." 



Finally, as to the remedy for this dreadful disorder in cattle, we quote Professor 

 Drake— Dr. Mcllhenny's observations applying to the treatment of milk-sickness in 

 the human subject — and then append the article on mad-itch and black-foot frona 

 Governor Vance with the following introductory remarks : — 



" Treatment of the Trembles. — We met with no medical gentleman who had snb« 

 jected animals labouring under this disease to a systematic, or even varied empirical 

 treatment. All the people of the district have one and the same indication to fulfil, 

 that of opening the bowels. When this can be effected, tije animal, they say, scarcely 

 ever dies— when it cannot, death occurs. For the fulfilment of this indication, epsom 

 salts has been administered in very lar^e quantities, even to pounds, but without 

 effect. Drenches of lard and various mixtures have also been given, with no satis- 

 factory result. Judge Harold, near South Charleston, has exhibited calomel followed 

 by lard— no essential benefit. Dr. Toland has administered the oil of turpentine, in 

 doses of eight, twelve, and sixteen ounces, without advantage. An opinion is pre- 

 valent that drenching animals injures them by causing them to struggle. On the 

 whole, we fnund among the people of the district a total want of confidence in all 

 kinds of cathartic medicines ; and an exclusive reliance on Indian corn. Some pre 

 ferred old corn, some new, and others that which had been frost-bitten. This is fed 

 to all tiiose species of animals that are accustomed to eat it, and is said never to be 

 refused. The more the animnl will eat, the greater is the hope of the owner. It is 

 eaid to prorluce purging, when every other means liave failed, and then, it is afHrni- 

 ed, recovery is almost certain. On thi;se points we found but one opinion in the 

 district. Several of its physicians, after trying other things, had, with the people, 

 settled down on this. 



'• We found h/ood- letting not in favour. Dr. Toland supposes it has, generally, been 

 eniiiloyed at too late a period. Many non-professional persons spoke of ha\ing re- 

 Boried to it without advaiitage. and s^ime thought it had done harm. 



