TYPHUS FEV^ER. 238 



mucli shorter, according as the disease is more severe ; for instance, 

 from every eight to fifteen minutes in very acute cases, and which 

 must be continued until a perceptible calm be restored. In external 

 inflammatory diseases, especially those which arise from a traumatic 

 lesion, aconitum is applicable not only to prevent the fever, but also to 

 cure it when it is already developed, and has as yet made no progress. 

 Notwithstanding the great efficacy of aconitum, it does not suffice in 

 many cases to effect a complete cure, so that, accordino- to the indi- 

 vidual nature of the inflammation, other diseases being connected, it 

 becomes necessaiy to assist its action by that of other different means ; 

 belladonna in encephalitis ; spongia marina in angina ; bryonia in 

 pneumonia and peri-pneumonia ; arsenicum and rhus toxicodendron in 

 enteritis ; cantharides in c^ystitis and nephritis, &c. 



TYPHUS FEVER. 



This is a species of fever with which every farmer is too well ac- 

 quainted. It is of a low chronic, typhoid form. It sometimes fol- 

 lows intense inflammatory action, and then it may be deemed the 

 second stage of that which has just been considered ; but often, 

 there have been no previous symptoms of peculiar intensitv, at least 

 none that have been observed, but a little increased heat of the ears, 

 horns, and mouth ; a pulse of sixty or seventy ; a certain deo-ree of 

 dullness ; a deficiency of appetite ; an occasional suspension of rumi- 

 nation ; a disinclination to move ; a gait approaching to staggerino- ; 

 and a gradual wasting. These are plain indications that there is a 

 fire burning, and rapidly consuming the strength of the animal. The 

 vital energies are evidently undermining ; but the fire is smothered. 

 It is not phthisis (consumption), it is not inflammatory fever, for the 

 intense inflammation characterizing that is seldom seen — it is true 

 typhus fever. 



As soon as it becomes established, diarrhoea succeeds ; and this is 

 either produced by small doses of medicine from which no dano-er 

 could be suspected, or comes on spontaneously. It is not, however, 

 violent, but continues day after day. It bids defiance to the skill of 

 the most experienced practitioner, or, if arrested for a while, is sure 

 to return. The discharge is peculiarly fetid ; occasionally mixed 

 with blood, and generally containing a considerable quantity of 

 mucus. 



Three or four weeks have probably now elapsed, and then succeed 

 the peculiar symptoms of low fever in cattle. Tumors form round 

 the joints, or appear on the back or udder ; ulcerate, spread, and be- 

 come fetid. The sweet breath of the ox is gone — it is as offensive 

 as the ulcers, and, in fact, we have that which can scarcely be dis- 

 tinguished from the second stage of inflammatory fever. 



It is most prevalent in the spring and fall of the year, and when 



