224 CATTLE. 



If inflammation be the consequence of increased action of the 

 capillaries, the object to be effected is to reduce that inordinate 

 action to the healthy standard, before the part has become debili- 

 tated or destroyed by this overwoi-k. Bleeding is one of the most 

 effectual measures, and especially local bleeding. The increased 

 action of the vessels, and the consequent redness, heat and swelling 

 of the part, are at once the consequence of inflammatory action, and 

 tend to prolong and to increase it. A copious bleeding, therefore, by 

 relieving the overloaded vessels, and enabling them once more to 

 contract on their contents, is indicated. To this physic will follow, 

 and there is scarcely an inflammatory disease in the ox in which it 

 can, by possibility, be injurious. Mashes and cooling diet will be 

 essential. 



As to external applications, they will be best treated of when the 

 different species of inflammation are discussed ; but, as a general rule, 

 in superficial inflammation, and in the early stage of the disease, cold 

 lotions will be the most useful ; in cases of deeper-seated injury, and 

 of considerable standing, warm fomentations will be preferable. The 

 first will best succeed in abstracting the inflammatory heat ; the 

 other will relax the fibres of the neighboring parts, which press upon, 

 and perpetuate, the injury, and will also restore the suspended per- 

 spiration. Cases, however, continually occur in which the most 

 opposite treatment is required in different stages of inflammation. , 



We have described fever as general capillary action, and with or 

 without any local affection ; or it is the consequence of the sympathy 

 of the system with inflammation of some particular part. 'Jhe first is 

 called pure or idio'pathic fever ; the other symptomatic fever. 



Pure fever is frequent in cattle. A beast, yesterday in good health, 

 is observed to-day — dull, the muzzle dry, rumination and grazing 

 having quite ceased, or being carelessly or lazily performed, the flanks 

 heave a little, the root of the horn is unnaturally hot, the pulse is 

 quickened, and is somewhat hard. The animal is evidently not well, 

 but the owner cannot discover any local affection or disease ; he gives 

 a dose of physic ; perhaps he bleeds ; he places a mash before his 

 patient, and, on the following day, the beast is considerably better, 

 or well ; or possibly, the animal, although apparently better in the 

 morning, becomes worse as the day advances, and at about the hour, 

 or a little later, when he was seen on the preceding day. This is but 

 a slight attack of fever, without local affection, or intermittent fever, 

 still without local determination, and which goes on for three or four 

 days, returning, or being aggravated at a particular hour, until by 

 means of cordial purgatives the chain is broken. 



At other times, the fever remains without these i intermissions. 



