274 CATTLE. 



in a few cases, be repaired, but in the great majority of them will 

 proceed to its fatal termination. It is a disorganization which doe8 

 not immediately interfere with the discharge of the functions cf life. 

 The beast will fatten, and, perhaps, almost as rapidly as before. In 

 some cases it has been imagined that by careful feeding, a very con- 

 siderable degree of condition has been acquired with unusual quick- 

 ness ; but this will not last long. The effect of diseased structu: e, 

 and diminished substance of the lungs, will soon tell in the unthrifti- 

 ness and loss of condition of the beast. It will not be prudent to 

 attempt any medical treatment at all, or at least beyond that of a 

 mere palliative nature. 



If any thing is to be done, bleeding will be here, as in other in- 

 flammatory cases, the first step, but pursued in a more cautious man- 

 ner than in any of the others — never pushed beyond the very first 

 indication of its proper effect, nor repeated until after due considera- 

 tion, and a full conviction that renewed irritation is beginning to be 

 set up. To this must be added mild doses of physic, and the use of 

 the sedative medicines ; with proper care that the animal is not un- 

 necessarily exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather, and yet avoid- 

 ing too much nursing. 



If treatment be tried, there is one circumstance and one only, 

 which will enable one to understand the real ground, and that is, the 

 character of the cough, which will still remain, although much less 

 frequent. Is it the clear, sonorous cough which indicates the com- 

 parative healthiness of the air-passages, or doe-s it continue to be, to 

 a greater or less degree, painful, inward, feeble, and gurgling ? If 

 the latter, the amendment is delusive. It is one of those temporary 

 rallyings of nature, or transient effects of medicine, which are some- 

 times witnessed ; or, perhaps there has been some salutary change 

 of atmospheric influence : but there is mischief still — and the most 

 salutary advice would be, to dispose of the animal while something 

 like its value can be obtained. Weeks, months may pass on ; but by- 

 and-by — the symptoms of confirmed phthisis appear, and the animal 

 is lost. 



This second, and more violent attack, has many symptoms similar 

 to those that have been described as attendins: the latter stages of 

 bronchitis or pleurisy ; but there are a few which would point out 

 the nature and seat of the disease when there is no previous history 

 of the case to guide the practitioner. The milk gradually diminishes, 

 and, had it been examined before its diminution, an evident deterioration 

 in quality would have been observ^ed ; it has acquired an unpleasant 

 flavor — it quickly becomes sour — it spoils, or gives a peculiar taste 

 to that with which it is mixed. The butter that is made from it i§ 

 ill-flavored, and the cheese will not acquiie a proper consistence. 

 Some have said that the milk is of a blue color, and that it has more 

 s^rum in ils composition than ordinary and healthy milk. 



