278 THE PULSE. PRESCRIPTION. 



in this stage must depend on the existence and degree 

 of fever. The pulse will be the only true guide. If it 

 is weak, wavering, and irregular, we mu-st avoid deplet- 

 ing, purgative agents. The blood flows through the 

 arteries, impelled by the action of the heart, and its 

 pulsations can be very distinctly felt by pressing the 

 finger upon almost any of these arteries that is not too 

 thickly covered by fat or the cellular tissues of the 

 skin, especially where it can be pressed upon some 

 hard or bony substance beneath it. The most conve- 

 nient place is directly at the back part of the lower jaw, 

 where a large artery passes over the edge of the jaw- 

 bone to ramify on the face. The natural pulse of a full- 

 grown ox will vary from about forty-eight to fifty-five 

 beats a minute ; that of a cow is rather quicker, 

 especially near the time of calving ; and that of a calf 

 is quicker than that of a cow. But a very much 

 quicker rate than that indicated will show a feverish 

 state, or inflammation ; and a much slower pulsation 

 indicates debility of some kind. 



Next in importance, as we have already stated, is 

 the physic. The bowels must be opened, or the ani- 

 mal will fall a victim to the disease. All medicines 

 should be of an active character, and in sufficient 

 quantity ; and stimulants should always be added to 

 the purgative medicines, to insure their operation. 

 Ginger, gentian, caraway, or red pepper in powder, may 

 be given with each dose of physic. Some give a power- 

 ful purgative, by means of Epsom salts one pound, flour 

 of sulphur four ounces, powdered ginger a quarter of 

 an ounce, all dissolved in a quart of cold water, and 

 one half given twice a day till the bowels are opened. 

 The digestive organs are deranged in most forms 

 of milk fever, and the third stomach is loaded with 

 hard, indigestible food. When the medicine has operated, 



