150 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



sive surfaces of inflammation that have been blistered by Spanish flies 

 must be washed clean with soapsuds; sprains of the back or loins 

 must be treated by soothing fomentations or poultices, or by a fresh 

 sheepskin with its fleshy side applied on the loins, and the patient must 

 be kept in a narrow stall in which it can not turn even its head. The 

 patient must be kept in a warm, dry building, so that the skin shall be 

 kept active rather thau the kidneys. Warm blanketing is equally im- 

 portant, and even mustard poultices over the loins will be useful. 

 Blisters of Spanish flies, turpentine, or other agent which may be 

 absorbed and irritate the kidneys must be avoided. The active fever 

 may be checked by 15 drops tincture of aconite every four hours, or by 

 one-third ounce acetanilid. If pain is very acute 1 ounce laudanum, 

 or 2 drams solid extract of belladonna will serve to relieve. When the 

 severity of the disease has passed, a course of tonics (quinia, 2 drams, 

 or gentian powder, 2 drams daily) may be given. Diuretics, too, may 

 be cautiously given at this advanced stage to relieve dropsy and give 

 tone to the kidneys and general system (oil of turpentine, 2 teaspoon- 

 fuls; bicarbonate of soda, 1 teaspoonful, repeated twice a day). Pure 

 water is essential, and it should not be given chilled ; warm drinks are 

 preferable. 



In the chronic forms of kidney inflammation the same protection 

 against cold and similar general treatment are demanded. Tonics, 

 however, are important to improve the general health (phosphate of 

 iron, 2 drams; powdered nux vomica, 20 grains; powdered gentian root, 

 4 drams, daily). In some instances the mineral acids (nitric acid, 60 

 drops, or nitro-muriatic acid, 60 drops, daily) may be employed with the 

 bitters. Mustard applied to the loins in the form of a thin pulp made 

 with water and covered for an hour with paper or other impervious 

 envelope, or water hotter than the hand can bear, or cupping may be 

 resorted to as a counterirritant. In cupping shave the loins, smear 

 them with lard, then take a narrow-mouthed glass, expand the air 

 within it by smearing its interior with a few drops of alcohol, setting it 

 on fire and instantly pressing the mouth of the vessel to the oiled por- 

 tion of the skin. As the air within the vessel cools it contracts, tend- 

 ing to form a partial vacuum, and the skin, charged with blood, is 

 strongly drawn up within it. Several of these being applied at once a 

 strong derivation from the affected kidneys is secured. In no case of 

 inflamed or irritable kidney should Spanish flies or oil of turpentine be 

 used upon the skin. 



PARASITES OF THE KIDNEY. 



As the kidney is the usual channel by which the bacteria leave the 

 system, this organ is liable to be implicated when microphytes exist in 

 the blood, and congestions and blood extravasations are produced. 

 In anthrax, Southarn cattle fever (Texas fever), and other such affec- 

 tions bloody urine is the consequence. Of the larger parasites attack- 



