lO THE FARM DOCTOR. 



health is fifty or sixty, or when all the more susceptible animals 

 have perished it may be reduced much lower. 



Treatment. — This disease is much more amenable to treat- 

 ment than Rinderpest, but to preserve the sick is no less repre- 

 hensible, as the poison is more subtle, more diffusible through 

 the atmosphere, is hidden unsuspected for a greater length of 

 time in the body of its victim, and when manifested is far more 

 h'able to be mistaken for other diseases (pneumonia, pleurisy, 

 bronchitis). No treatment should ever be allowed, except in 

 perfectly secluded buildings, far from roads, where no strange 

 men or animals can get access, and in a constantly disinfected 

 atmosphere. 



In the early stages, refrigerent and diuretic salts (liquor of 

 the acetate of ammonia, nitre, bisulphite of soda) with aconite 

 may be given, injections of warm water or mild laxatives 

 (Epsom salts) used to regulate the bowels, and blisters applied 

 to the sides of the chest (mustard and oil of turpentine). Later, 

 when prostration sets in, stimulants (sweet spirits of nitre, wine, 

 aromatic ammonia, etc.) and tonics (gentian, cinchona, cas- 

 carilla, boneset, sulphate of iron, or copper, mineral acids, etc.) 

 are called for. Antiseptics are useful, especially such as can 

 be inhaled in the air (sulphur fumes, carbolic acid vapour or 

 spray) and thus reach the seat of disease. 



The hydropathic treatment, by a rug wrung out of water 

 applied next the skin and covered by several dry ones kept 

 closely applied by elastic surcingles for an hour and followed 

 by a cold douche and active rubbing till dry, has proved very 

 successful, but demands intelligence, enthusiasm, and activity, 

 on the part of the attendants. The pack is repeated as often 

 as the temperature rises. 



Prevention. — Importation should only be allowed from 

 countries free from the plague, in ships that have carried no 

 suspected stock for at least three months, and after inspection 

 and, if thought necessary, quarantine, at the port of entry. 



