INFLAMMATORY FEVElt. 229 



change be more in the quality than in the quantity of the food, the 

 evil is more slowly produced, and it is more fatal — a disposition to 

 inflammation is excited, which wants but a slight stimulus to kindle 

 into a flame. It is the penalty which the breeder must pay, or the 

 evil which he must carefully, and not always successfully, endeavor 

 to avoid, when he is endeavoiing to obtain all the advantage he can 

 from the richness of his pasture, the aptitude to fatten, and the 

 eai-ly maturity, of his cattle. Milch cows are, generally speaking, 

 exempt from inflammatory fever. 



Inflammatory fever is sometimes caused by the driving of fat beasts 

 in the beginning of summer with too much hurry. It has broken 

 out among stall-fed cattle still later in the year, when the process of 

 fattening has been injudiciously hastened. In fact, from the peculiar 

 vascular system of cattle, the excitement of too m.uch food is the 

 usual cause of inflammatory fever in them. The vascular system is 

 most subject to disease in the ox, for we keep him, as nearly as we 

 can with any rational hope of safety, in a state of plethora. 



The very name of the disease, inflammatory fever, indicates the 

 mode of treatment. In a case of excessive vascular action, the first 

 and most important step is copious bleeding, ^s much blood must 

 be taken as the animal will bear to lose ; and the stream must flow 

 on until the beast staggers or threatens to fall. Here, more than in 

 any other disease, there must be no foolish directions about quantities. 

 As much blood must he taken away as can h2 got ; for it is only by 

 bold depletory measures that a malady can be subdued that runs its 

 course so rapidly. 



Purging must immediately follow. Epsom salts are here, as in 

 most inflammatory diseases, the best purgative. A pound and a half, 

 dissolved in water or gruel, and poured down the throat as gently as 

 possible, should be the fir^t dose ; and no aromatic should accompany 

 it. If this does not operate in the course of six hours, another pound 

 should be given ; and, after that, half-pound doses every six hours 

 until the effect is produced. 



At the expiration of the first six hours the patient should be care- 

 fully examined. Is the pulse slower, softer ? If not, he must be 

 bled a second time, and until the circulation is once more affected. 

 If the animal be somewhat better, yet not to the extent that could be 

 wished, the practitioner would be warranted in bleeding a^ain, pro- 

 vided the sinking and fluttering of the pulse does not indicate the 

 commencement of debility. 



If the pulse be a little quieted, and purging has taken place, and 

 the animal is somewhat more himself, the treatment should be fol- 

 lowed up by the diligent exhibition of sedative medicises. A drachm 

 and a half of digitalis, and one drachm of emetic tartar, and half an 

 ounce of nitre, should be given three times every day ; and setons 



