Hence when we find a sick animal that shows a high fever heat and is infected 

 with ticks, we can be almost sure, even though in the incipient stage, that it is 

 the Texan plague. And this will soon be corroborated by the appearance of 

 bloody water and other characteristic symptoms. 



As this affection is so very fatal in the majority of cases, it would seem 

 that little could be done in the way of treatment to save an animal in the active 

 stage of the disease. Various plans of medication have been resorted to, but 

 thus far with questionable results. No specific medicines, however ardently 

 claimed or faithfully administered, has yet been found to stay its ravages in 

 every case, and as this is a constitutional malady eliminatives and anticeptics 

 would naturally seem to be called for, and such medicines like carbolic acid 

 and its various salts have been used in all stages, and it is worthy of further 

 experimentation. Common salt is believed to exert a favorable effect when 

 given freely, to all cattle that have been exposed in the line of transportation, 

 especially when they have been deprived of drink for several days as is often 

 the case in the shipment of western stock to our market. In the majority of 

 cases cathartics are specially indicated, and when given early have operated 

 favorably, and here it should be remembered that salts are the most appropriate 

 physic for cattle in this and other febrile affections, and should be given in 

 large doses of a pound or more. No use to give a saline cathartic to cattle 

 sparingly, you will always be disappointed with the results, even though a val 

 uable agent in this respect. As soon, therefore, as you observe an animal to 

 be affected you should open the bowels at once by the free use of epsom salts 

 and continue this until all costiveness is overcome. 



The diuretics are a very important class of remedies to be used, and should 

 be given early. Saltpetre, acetate of potash, and sweet spirits of nitre are 

 among the best, and an ounce of each of them at a dose several times per day 

 will soon produce the desired effect. Half an ounce of turpentine for a few 

 times works admirably at a critical stage when the bladder has become dis- 

 tended with high colored urine. In such cases I have used gin and a strong 

 tincture of the oil of juniper, and have seen much relief afforded to a creature 

 in a dying state. Hence I would advise the free use of such remedies to 

 evacuate the bladder and thus aid in the work of elimination. Bleeding has 

 been strongly advocated, but it must be resorted to early, to get any perceptible 

 effects. When the spleen has become congested there is little chance of afford- 

 ing amelioration by venesection. But at the commencement of an attack, if 

 the animal is strong and fleshy, it is well to bleed, and no doubt many cases 

 have been saved by so doing, yet I have no faith in the universal practice of 

 the abstraction of this virtual fluid. 



Thus from no meager experience in the treatment of this disease in Con- 

 necticut and at Brattleboro, Vermont, as well as more recently in our own 

 state, 1 am fully persuaded that a large proportion of these cases may be saved 

 under the watchful eye of a skillful practitioner. But the veterinarian must 

 be called at an early moment, and give his undivided attention to an outbreak 

 of this kind, for there is no time to be lost after the first appearance of the dis- 



in any case. 



