DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



be combined with antiseptics, and, while the lime-water and the car- 

 minative mixture may still be used, a most valuable addition will be 

 found in the following : Calomel 10 grains, prepared chalk 1 ounce, creo- 

 sote 1 teaspoonful; mix, divide into 10 parts, and give one four times 

 a day. Or the following may be given four times a day: One dram 

 Dover's powder, G grains powdered ipecacuanha; mix, divide into 10 

 equal parts. Injections of solutions of gnm arabic are often useful, 

 and if the anus is red and excoriated, dram of copperas may be added 

 to each pint of the gummy solution. All the milk given must be boiled, 

 and if that does not agree, eggs made into an emulsion with barley- 

 water, may be substituted. Small doses (tablespoonful) of port wine 

 are often useful from the first, and as the feces lose their watery char- 

 acter and become more consistent, tincture of gentian in doses of two 

 teaspoonfuls may be given three or four times a day. Counterirritants, 

 such as mustard, ammonia, or oil of turpentine, may be rubbed on the 

 abdomen when that becomes tender to the touch. 



OTHER AILMENTS OF THE CALF. 



Among these may be named several congenital imperfections, such as 

 hnperforate anus, vulva, or prepuce, which are to be recognized by the 

 inability to pass dung or urine, in spite of straining, and the formation 

 of swellings in the anus, vulva, or sheath. Each must be carefully 

 incised with the knife, taking care not to injure the muscles which cir- 

 cumscribe the respective openings. Also tongue-tie, in which the thin 

 flaccid mucous membrane passing from the median line of the lower 

 surface of the tongue binds the latter too closely to the floor of the 

 mouth and renders the tongue unfit for gathering in the food in after 

 life. This must be cut with knife or scissors so as to give the tongue a 

 reasonable amount of liberty. 



Aphtha or Thrush is another trouble of the sucking calf, showing 

 itself as a white curdy elevation on the tongue, lips, cheeks, or gums, 

 and when detached leaving a raw, red, angry surface. It is due to the 

 growth of a vegetable parasite long recognized as the O'idium albicans, 

 but which Grawitz identifies as the Mycoderma vim. It is easily 

 removed by rubbing with powdered borax, but inasmuch as other colo- 

 nies are likely to start either in the mouth or lower down in the 

 pharynx, gullet, or stomach, it is well to give a dose of one-half dram 

 of hyposulphite of soda in water day by day for several days. 



Rickets is not a common disease in calves, and comes on, if at all, 

 later than those we have been considering. It consists in softening 

 and friability of the bones from a deficiency of lime salts, and appears 

 to be mainly connected with an inherited weakness of constitution, 

 unsuitable feeding, cold, close, damp buildings, and other conditions 

 inimical to health. The prevention and treatment of rickets consists 

 essentially in the improvement of the digestion and general health; 

 hence sunshine, open air, exercise, nourishing food, and tonics are indi- 

 cated. 



