106 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



SUNSTROKE (PROSTRATION FROM HEAT). 



Owing to the fact that cattle are seldom put to work at which they 

 would have to undergo severe exertion, especially in collars, they are 

 not frequently prostrated by the extreme heat of the summer months. 

 When at pasture they select the coolest places in the shade of trees, 

 in water, etc., when the heat becomes oppressive, and thereby avoid, 

 as much as possible, the effects of it. 



It does happen, however, that cattle that have been kept up for the 

 purpose of fattening, when driven some distance in very hot weather, 

 are sometimes prostrated, but it must be remembered that it is not 

 really necessary for the animal to be exposed to the rays of the sun, as 

 those confined in hot, close places may suffer. This often happens in 

 shipping, when they are crowded together in cars. 



Symptoins. — The premonitory signs are those of exhaustion — dull- 

 ness, panting, frothing at the mouth, tongue hanging out, irregular 

 gait, uneasiness, palpitation — when, if the circumstances which tend 

 to the prostration are not mitigated, the animal staggers or sways 

 from side to side, falls, struggles for a while, and then gradually 

 becomes quiet, or the struggles may continue, with repeated but inef- 

 fectual efforts to regain a standing position. In serious cases the 

 attack may be very sudden, unconsciousness occurring without con- 

 tinued or distressing premonitory symptoms. 



Treatment. — At first, when not very serious, removal to a quiet, 

 sheltered place, with a few days on a reduced diet, is all that need be 

 done. When the animal has fallen, apply cold water or ice to the 

 head ; rub the body and limbs with cloths or wisps of straw and continue 

 the rubbing for a considerable time. If the power of swallow- 

 ing is not lost (which may be ascertained by pouring a little cold 

 water into the mouth), give 3 drams of stronger liquor ammonia, 

 diluted with a quart of cold water. Be very careful in drenching the 

 animal when lying down. Repeat the drench in a half hour and an 

 hour after the first one has been given. Instead of the ammonia, a 

 drench composed of 3 ounces of spirits of nitrous ether in a pint of 

 water may be given, if more convenient, but the ammonia drench 

 is preferable. If unconsciousness continues, so that a drench can not 

 be administered, the same quantity of ammonia and water may be 

 injected with a syringe into the rectum. The popular aqua ammonia, 

 commonly called " hartshorn," will do as well as the stronger liquor 

 ammonia, but as it is weaker than the latter the dose for a cow is 

 about 1^ ounces, which should be diluted with a quart of water before 

 it is given to the animal, either as a drench or an enema. When 

 ammonia can not be obtained, a pint of w^hisky in a quart of water 

 or an ounce of tincture of digitalis may be given. 



