MORTIFICATION 465 



Its natural position. The part is then sewed up, and 

 it will soon heal if the animal is in a good condition 

 of body. 



MORTIFICATION. 



Symptoms. — This complaint shows itself by swell- 

 ings behind the kidneys, and sometimes in the flanks, 

 shoulders, side, or legs, accompanied with a desire to 

 remain in a lying posture undisturbed. The pre- 

 monitors to dissolution are a most foetid odour pro- 

 ceeding from the animal. It is seldom that he lives 

 long after the first appearance of the malady : from 

 five to twenty-four hours generally puts a period to 

 his existence. Animals which have died of this 

 complaint have been skinned, and it has been found 

 that the swollen parts contain a gelatinous matter, 

 mixed with very dark-coloured blood, nearly ap- 

 proaching to black. The animal dies without any 

 symptoms of pain. 



Causes. — This is a complaint which has only been 

 known to exist in Connecticut, America, where it has 

 proved very fatal to cattle. It is attributed to a 

 change of pasture, or from bad to good fodder, 

 which causes plethora, or fullness, and gorging of the 

 vessels of the body. Cattle in the highest condition 

 are most liable to be affected. 



Remedies. — Little can be effected where this 

 malady is not attacked at the outset, and the medicines 

 must be those of a preventive quality. These must 

 be, first, not to make too sudden a change from a bad 

 to a good pasturage, nor too abrupt a transition from 

 a poor to a rich diet. The following aperient should 

 be first administered in the form of a drink : — 



