874 CATTLE 



shows that a degree of disorganization has taken place which must 

 speedily terniiiu.te in death. 



If, in chronic red-water, or that whi?h depends on disease of the 

 liver, the discharge becomes of a darkei and still darker brown, until 

 it has assumed an almost black character, it shows either Jiat the 

 system is loaded with a superabundance of this empoisoned secre- 

 tion, and of which it cannot rid itself, or that the irritation caused by 

 the continued presence of so acrimonious a fluid is producing inflam- 

 mation, gangrene, and death, in the vessels that are filled and op- 

 pressed by it. In the last i'tage of the disease, when the urine 

 assumes a darker brown or black color, no remedy seems to have 

 any eflicacy ; the animal is sunk beyond recovery, and he stretches 

 himself out and dies, as if perfectly exhausted. 



Homceopathic treatment. — The principal remedy for this aflfectiou 

 is ipecacuanha, of which a single dose will often suffice to remove it, 

 when it is administered in time. When signs of inflammation already 

 exist, we must commence with aconitum, which in many cases effects 

 a cure by itself. The efficacy of cantharide? has been proved many 

 times by giving one or two doses each day. If the staling of blood 

 be connected with external violence, for instance, with a blow on the 

 loins, arnica is the remedy. When it depends on vesical calculus, 

 uva ursi should be employed. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 



Cattle are occasionally subject to inflammation of the kidneys, bear- 

 ing considerable resemblance to acute red-water, but attended by 

 more of the symptoms of pure inflammation of that organ in other 

 animals. At first there are seldom any indications of disease beyond 

 a straining eff"ort in voiding the urine, and which is ejected forcibly 

 and in small quantities, the loins being more than usually tender, and, 

 perhaps, a little hot. In a day or two afterward, however, the beast 

 becomes dull, and careless about his food ; the difficulty of staling 

 increases ; blood is perceived to mingle with the urine ; the muzzle 

 become dry ; the horns and ears cold ; the pulse frequent and hard, 

 and the breathing quickened. Diarrhoea or dysentery is now. ob- 

 served ; the evacuations are fetid ; they too are discharged with 

 effort and in diminished quantities, and at length cease to appear. 



The difficulty of passing the urine becomes rapidly greater ; the 

 beast strangely bows his back, and groans from intensity of pain ; at 

 length total suppression of urine ensues ; cold sweats break out, 

 principally about the back, sides, and shoulders, and the patient 

 trembles all over ; he moans continually, but the moaning gets lower 

 and lower ; he becomes paralyzed behind ; the pulse can scarcely be 

 felt ; the animal falls ; he is incapable of rising, and he dies in three 

 or four days after the apparent commencement of the attack. 



This is especially a disease of the spring time of the year. It is 



