316 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



seen underneath the pleura costalis lining the ribs, — 

 over the diaphragm, peritoneum, and the omentum or 

 caul. 



Causes. — This is considered one of the hereditary dis- 

 eases of cattle, or rather milch cows. As is elsewhere 

 stated, — in the first part of this book, — hereditary dis- 

 ease does not necessarily imply that a consumptive cow 

 should be so, because its mother was consumptive. No. 

 But because it has inherited the great milking qua- 

 lities of its ancestors, whereby the animal is reduced in 

 flesh, condition and vitality, the fibrous, serous tissue of 

 the body becomes deteriorated, and hence the foundation 

 is laid for tubercular consumption. Cows of some breeds 

 are not selfish, for the more they are fed, the more milk 

 will they give. These are all the claims which can justly 

 be made in favor of the hereditary cause of consumption 

 in cows. 



Symptoms. — Thin of flesh, unthrifty, and staring coat 

 or hair, long and dead-looking, a low husky cough, loss 

 of appetite, weakness, and a bloodless condition of the 

 whole system, which is readily known by the pale, white 

 look of the lining of the eyes, nose, and mouth. The 

 consumptive cow stands with her back arched, and her 

 forelegs turned out at the elbows, and when lying rests 

 on the belly and breast bone. The milk of such cows is 

 thin, blue, and watery. 



Previously to the death of a consumptive cow, diarrhoea, 

 dysentary, discharges from the nose and eyes, accompa- 

 nied with hectic, or sympathetic fever, conclude the 

 symptoms of this lingering, but fatal disease. 



Treatment. — In the early stage of consumption in 

 cows, much can be done in the way of treatment. Feed 

 the animal well with rich and nutritious material, such as 



