THE OX AND THE DAIKY. 205 



this kind are on record, in which pieces of wire, large pins, 

 and needles, have heen discovered, after death, sticking in 

 the pericardium. The symptoms in these cases are obscure, 

 till effusion in the chest is detected by the ear or the use of 

 the stethoscope. We need not say that no directions for 

 medical treatment in such cases can be given. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE UVEE, OB HEPATITIS. 



Acute inflammation of the liver does not appear to be a 

 very common disease in cattle, and occurs mostly in such as 

 are stall-fed on high diet, and debarred from due exercise. 

 The symptoms of this disease are not always very determin- 

 ate. There is generally a yellowness of the eyes and skin, 

 indicative of a cessation of action in the liver, which no longer 

 separates the bile from the blood. Considerable fever exists, 

 indicated by dryness of the muzzle, heat of the mouth, and a 

 quickened pulse ; the abdomen, especially on the right side, 

 is tumid, and pressure gives decided pain ; the animal often 

 turns its head round, and endeavours to lean the muzzle 

 against it. The bowels are generally constipated ; but this 

 condition often alternates with violent purging. Mr. Brown, 

 in the Veterinarian, remarks, that a diminution in the milk 

 of the milch cow is one of the first symptoms, and that the 

 cream drawn from it presents a ropy appearance, and has a 

 saltish taste. As the disease progresses the aspect of the 

 animal becomes dull and depressed, and the appetite im- 

 paired ; the animal loses its ordinary activity, its gait is stif- 

 fened or staggering, with a halt on one or more of the limbs. 

 The eyes are dull, and the transparent cornea sometimes 

 become opaque ; the nose is alternately dry and moist ; the 

 mucous membranes, the nasal secretions, and the skin, are 

 yellow. 



In protracted cases, when the animal begins to recover, " a 

 yellow scurf rises from the skin, which gives the hair the 

 appearance of being dusted with turmeric." Rumination is 

 either wholly or partially suspended, the secretion of milk 

 is limited, and inflammation usually appears in one or more 

 quarters of the udder. Tumours not unfrequently appear in 

 different parts of the body, and, on bursting, discharge a fetid 

 matter. 



In some cases the respiration is at first frequent, and ac- 

 companied with a short painful cough ; but in most instances 

 it is not much disturbed. The bowels are generally obsti- 



