THE OX AND THE DAIEY. 223 



lated have perhaps little foundation in truth, gives the following 

 as well authenticated : " A man held down the tongue of an 

 ox, with a silver spoon, in order to examine the mouth, which 

 had many of the characteristic vesicles. He afterwards, and 

 without any great care about cleaning it, ate some broth with 

 the same spoon. Not many days had elapsed when his mouth 

 felt sore, pustules appeared on the side of the tongue, malig- 

 nant fever ensued, and he died. When this disease raged at 

 Nismes, in 1 731, it was communicated, not only to the human 

 being, but to various species of domesticated animals." 



It is requisite, therefore, in attending cattle labouring 

 under the blain, to be careful that the saliva of the animal, 

 discharged from the mouth, touch no sore or abraded part, 

 nor lodge upon the lips. Should such an accident occur, a 

 slight application of the lunar caustic to the spot will prove a 

 sufficient security. 



In the early stage this disease may be generally treated 

 successfully; the mouth must be secured, the tongue and 

 parts connected with it examined, and every vesicle freely 

 opened with a lancet, so as to give free vent to the glairy fluid 

 they contain; the mouth and tongue should then be well 

 washed with salt and water, and cleansed as much as possible. 

 If, however, the fluid of the vesicles is at all offensive, as is 

 likely to be the case, if they appear dark or livid, a solution 

 of chloride of lime (two drachms to a quart of water) should 

 be applied very freely and frequently. After this, smart pur- 

 gatives should be given, and, if the fever be high, blood ab- 

 stracted. If there be ulcers about the feet, they must be 

 washed with a solution of chloride of lime also, and dressed 

 with tincture of aloes and myrrh, or compound tincture of 

 benzoin (friar's balsam), both to be obtained at the druggist's. 

 In unhealthy sluggish ulcers, a little of the chloride (butyr) 

 of antimony may be cautiously applied. 



Should the disease be in a more advanced stage, the free 

 lancing of the vesicles in the mouth is to be thoroughly 

 effected, and the lotion of chloride of lime applied copiously 

 several times a day. Physic must be given; but whether 

 blood should be abstracted or not will now depend on the 

 pulse and the character which the fever assumes. If slough- 

 ing of the tongue has taken place, the same plan must be fol- 

 lowed out, the solution of the chloride of lime being gradually 

 strengthened ; and should the ulcerations or sloughing parts 

 show a healthy surface, they may be washed with tincture of 



