252 CATTLE. 



vomica, in the dry and loud cough ; aconitum and arsenicum, in that 

 which comes on every time the animal drinks cold water ; drosera, 

 in that which has already become chronic ; pulsatilla and hyoscya- 

 mus, in that which is dry and returns in kinks ; chamomilla, in dry 

 cough with diarrhcea ; ammonium nmriaficum, cuprum, and bryonia, 

 in inveterate cough ; and, in general, sulphur, in many cases of dis- 

 tressing and more especially obstinate coughs. 



THE MALIGNAXT EPIDEMIC MURRAIX. 



Epidemic catarrh often assumes a malignant form in cattle, on ac- 

 count of the great vascularity of the system, and intensity of febrile 

 action, and consequent vital exhaustion. It also appears as a dis- 

 ease which is malignant from its very commencement. Indeed tliere 

 is no disease so malignant as the murrain of cattle, and there are 

 few years in which it is not now seen in some part of the kingdom. 

 It is ranked under the diseases of the respiratory system, because 

 that system is usually first of all affected, and for a longer or shorter 

 time alone affected ; but the disease gradually takes on a typhoid 

 character, and its pestilential influence invades every portion of the 

 frame. It principally appears in marshy and woody districts, or 

 "where under-draining has been neglected, or the cattle have been ex- 

 posed and half-starved. 



There are few diseases that assume, in its earlier or later stages, 

 a greater variety of forms ; but, disarmed somewhat of its virulence, 

 or at least having not appeared in all its terrors for some years past, 

 it will generally be distinguished by some or the greater part of the 

 following symptoms. 



There will be cough, frequent and painful, and, in many cases, 

 for a week or more before there is any other marked symptom. The 

 farmer may not always be aware of this, but he will find it out if 

 he inquires about it ; and he will be fully aware of the importance 

 of the fact before we have done wnth this division of our subject. 



After a few days, some heaving of the flanks will be added to the 

 cough ; the pulse will be small, hard, frequent, and sometimes ir- 

 reguUir ; the mouth hot ; tlie root of the horn cold ; the faeces some- 

 times hard and black, at others liquid and black, and then very fetid. 

 Presently afterwards, that of which we have to speak again and 

 again, is observed — extreme tenderness along the spine, and partic- 

 ularly over the loins. 



The cough becomes more frequent and convulsive, and a brown 

 or bloody matter runs from the nostrils and mouth ; the eyes are 

 swelled and weeping ; the patient grinds his teeth ; there is frequent 

 spasmodic contraction about the nostrils ; and the animal rarely 

 lies down, or, if he does, rises again immediately. 



The eyes soon afterwards become unusually dull ; the pulse re^ 

 mains small, but it has become feeble ; the respiration is quicker ^ 



