DIARRHCEA AND DYSENTERY. Ml 



crate into the disease which is novr under consideration. The practi- 

 tioner will therefore mingle stomachics, and probably tonics, with his 

 astringents, in this case. Here also he will find the vegetable the 

 best. Experience of its beneficial effect has made ginger a necessary- 

 ingredient in almost every medicine, unless the animal evidently 

 labors under fever. Gentian is an admirable tonic and stomachic ; 

 and if to these be added Colombo and cascarilla, there is sufficient 

 choice. The proportions of the different medicines will necessarily 

 vary with the age and strength of the animal, and the character, 

 duration, and ravages of the disease. 



Vegetable astringents and tonics having been fairly tried, and 

 either not producing the desired effect, or beginning to lose their 

 power, the mineral ones may be resorted to. The preference should 

 undoubtedly be given to alum, and that in the common and very 

 convenient form of alum whey. (See List of Medicines.) To this 

 the usual quantity of ginger may be added without producing decora- 

 position ; and, if it should be deemed advisable, the opium may be 

 continued. Should this not succeed, or not to the full extent wished, 

 blue vitriol (sulphate of copper) may be substituted ; and to this 

 the opium will be a necessary auxiliary. The dose should be about 

 one drachm of the former and half a drachm of the latter. There is 

 no other mineral astringent or tonic that can be depended on or safely 

 given. 



Clysters should not be neglected in this stage of the disease. 

 With the assistance of the injection-pump, the}^ promise to be as 

 efficacious as any medicines that can be administered bv the mouth, 

 for they may be brought into immediate contact with the inflamed or 

 ulcerated surface. Gruel may be made with a decoction of poppy- 

 heads, already recommended. To this may succeed an infusion of 

 catechu, decoction of oak-bark, and with or without opium ; and 

 possibly a weak solution of alum or blue vitriol. The practitioner 

 will here, however, proceed with considerable caution. 



The malady being apparently subdued, there will be need for much 

 caution in the after-treatment of the animal. He must not soon 

 return altogether to green meat, and more especially not to luxuriant 

 pasture. The best way to prevent diarrhoea is to continue to 

 give a small quantity of hay for some time after turning to grass, and 

 not to keep him too many hours at a time from water. When 

 coming on, keep the ox as much as possible on hay and bran, and let 

 him have water often in small quantities. 



For a long period after a severe attack of this complaint, the animal 

 will be subject to occasional diarrhoea, and will require careful man- 

 agement. The best thing to be done is to get him, as quickly as the 

 state of his constitution will admit, into fair condition, and sell him ; 

 but there will be some difficulty in accomplishing this, for abundance 

 even of the most wholesome food will oftei be more than his debili- 



