CATTLE. 165 



LEAD POISONING. 



Lead has gained access to the bodies of cattle in a variety 

 of ways. 



The neighbourhoods of mines and pastures where mining 

 was formerly carried on are found to cause lead poisoning, from 

 the animals taking in oxidised lead with the grass or in the 

 fumes of smelting works. 



Treatment. — If the cause is discovered sufficiently early, 

 remedial- measures will be successful. Purgation with salines, 

 as Epsom or glauber salts, and repeated administration of dilute 

 sulphuric acid, have the effect of arresting the action of the lead 

 already absorbed, while the swollen and painful joints can be 

 cured by Elliman's. 



Prevention.— Test the water-supply for lead and reject it if 

 found contaminated. If the pastures are known to have had 

 poisoned animals there, change the stock frequently, and give 

 salts and acid as above. 



LICE. 



The presence of lice prevents animals from thriving, and 

 should receive immediate attention. 



Cause.— Although necessarily coming by transmission 

 from other animals direct or indirect, and through the medium 

 of straw or other bedding, it is well known that lice thrive best 

 on cattle that are half starved or doing badly. 



Treatment. — If the weather is warm", a wash of stavesacre 

 made by boiling half-a- pound of the drug in a gallon of water 

 will kill the parasites, but the dressing will have to be repeated, 

 as the nits are not killed. In winter, when washing them 

 might cause a chill, the affected beasts can be smeared with 

 linseed oil, which has the desired effect. 



