276 CATTLE. 



tliere oftenest effected. If a dairy of cows be removed from a moist 

 situation to a dry and colder one, consumption will often appear 

 among them, although a dry Jiir is otherwise esteemed a specific 

 against the complaint ; but if they be taken from a dry situation, 

 and put on a woody and damp one, phthisis is sure to appear before 

 the first season is past. 



There is one striking fact, showing the injurious effect of heated 

 and empoisoned air on the pulmonary system. There are some cow- 

 houses in which the heat is intense, and the inmates are often in a 

 state of profuse perspiration. The doors and the windows must 

 sometimes be opened, and then the wind blows in cold enough upon 

 those that are close to them, and, one would naturally think, could 

 not fail of being injurious. No such thing. These are the animals 

 who escape ; but the others, at the farther end, on whom no wind 

 blows, and where no perspiration is checked, are the first to have 

 boose, inflammation, and consumption. This fact speaks volumes 

 with regard to the management on many a farm. 



In dismissing the diseases of the respiratory system, the author is 

 far more disposed to direct attention to the preventive than the medi- 

 cal treatment. By the former one may do much. Let the over- 

 filled cow-houses be enlarged, and the close and hot ones be better 

 ventilated ; let neglect, and exposure, and starvation yield to more 

 judicious and humane treatment ; when cattle are fed on dry food, 

 let them have sufficient to drink two or three times every da}^ ; let 

 those that exhibit decided symptoms of consumption be removed from 

 the dairy, not because the disease is contagious, but because it is 

 undeniably hereditary ; and, where so little can be done in the way 

 of cure, let nothing be omitted in the way of prevention. 



Iodine possesses powder to arrest the growth of tubercles in the 

 lungs, and even to disperse them when recently formed. It may 

 not be a specific for phthisis or consumption in cattle, but it has 

 saved some that would otherwise have perished, and, for a while, 

 prolonged the existence and somewhat restored the condition of more. 

 Let the proprietor of cattle, and more especially practitioners, study 

 closely the symptoms of phthisis, as detailed, and make themselves 

 masters of the inward, feeble, painful, hoarse, gurgling cough of con- 

 sumption, and as soon as they are assured that this termination or 

 consequence of catarrh, or pneumonia, or pleurisy, begins to have 

 existence — that tuber6.es have been formed, and, perhaps, have be- 

 gun to suppurate — let them have recourse to the iodine, in the form 

 of the hydriodate of potash, given in a small mash, in doses of three 

 grains, morning and evening, at the commencement of the treatment, 

 and gradually increased to six or eight grains. To this should be 

 added proper attention to comfort ; yet not too much nursing ; and 

 free access to succulent, but rot stimulating, food ; and the medicine 

 should be continued not only antil the general condition of the beast 



