252 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



this closely at all points with dry blankets to exclude the air and pre- 

 vent evaporation and cooling. In fifteen or twenty minutes a reaction 

 will have taken place, the whole body will have been cooled somewhat 

 by the blood returning from the skin since the blanket was applied, and 

 the free perspiration will now serve to relieve both by cooling and by 

 carrying off waste matters from the blood. This may be repeated sev- 

 eral times a day if the temperature rises again. In cold weather the 

 skin should be rubbed dry on each occasion. 



A similar method of drawing off the blood from the brain is by fre- 

 quent rubbing of the udder and drawing off the milk. 



In case of, extreme prostration and weak pulse one-half ounce car- 

 bonate of ammonia may be given and repeated at the end of an hour 

 or two if needed. It may be given as a roller-formed bolus made up 

 with a very little flour to give it consistency, or if the cow can not 

 swallow it may be dissolved in water and poured through a probang 

 (Plate in. Fig. 2), or tube introduced into the stomach. 



Bloating of the left side (paunch) is a common and dangerous com- 

 plication of the disease, as it at once aggravates the pressure on the 

 brain, partly by expression of blood from the abdominal organs and 

 partly by nervous action through the vagus and sympathetic nerves. 

 It may often be checked by the use of carbonate of ammonia; or hypo- 

 sulphite of soda ( ounce) may be substituted; or oil of turpentine 

 (1 ounce). In obstinate cases the paunch should be punctured in the 

 upper part of the left flank by a trocar and canula (Plate in, Figs. 5a 

 and 56), and the latter left in place until it is no longer needed. 



Another most important precaution is to draw off the urine from 

 the bladder several times a day, as a full bladder greatly aggravates 

 the case. 



A weak induction current of electricity may be sent through the 

 brain for ten minutes at a time in cases of extreme insensibility, and 

 through the affected limb in case of remaining paralysis. 



In the torpid or noncongestive form of the disease, the treatment is 

 the same as regards purgatives, stimulants, nux vomica, antiseptics 

 for bloating, attention to the bladder and udder, counterirritants to 

 spine or limbs, and even bleeding. The cold, wet sheets, and even the 

 ice to the head, may often be dispensed with. 



One other precaution maybe named applicable to all cases, but espe- 

 cially so to the more distinctly congestive ones. This is to keep the 

 head above the level of the body and prevent injury from the striking 

 of it on the ground or other hard body. The cow is to be packed up 

 with bundles or bags of straw against the shoulders and hips, so as to 

 let her rest on her breast and belly with her limbs under her. Then 

 the head and neck are to be similarly supported, so as to keep them 

 elevated and give them a soft yielding cushion if dashed from side to 

 side. It may be even desirable to support the head by a rope round 

 the horns, or a halter, the end of which is passed over a beam above. 



