230 THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 



sides of the neck. If by these measures, actively pushed, no 

 return of the convulsive fits occurs for several weeks, the 

 beast may be cautiously prepared for the butcher. 



CHOKEA, OK ST. VlTUS's DANCE. 



Chorea is a frequent disease in young dogs, and occurs 

 either with the distemper, or after it. That singular affection 

 of the limbs of the horse, called string-halt, appears to 

 be a species of chorea. In horned cattle the disease is 

 not known to occur. 



TETANUS, OR LOCKED JAW. 



This terrible malady is less common in the ox than in the 

 horse, but when it comes on it is equally unmanageable. 

 It is generally the effect of severe punctured wounds; in 

 working oxen it may be produced by incautious shoeing, one 

 or more nails being rudely driven to the quick. Long and 

 severe travel will produce it, and it often makes considerable 

 ravages among the droves of cattle, during their toilsome 

 and exhausting journeys from the north to the southern 

 markets. Mr. Youatt assures us, that tetanus stands at the 

 head of the list of those diseases which sweep away the 

 greatest number of victims from the herds travelling south- 

 wards. Unfortunately tetanus is generally confirmed before 

 its approach even is suspected ; nay, it is not then always 

 immediately discovered. The animal stands in the field 

 motionless, with its head stretched out, and the neck rigid. 

 At first perhaps no notice is taken of this, but the animal 

 still continues, having scarcely stirred a yard from the spot, 

 but in the same fixed attitude ; its appearance excites alarm, 

 the muscles of the jaw are found to be spasmodically con- 

 tracted, and the jaw firmly set or locked. What is to be 

 done must be done promptly, for in a short time it will be 

 too late to attempt anything. Blood must be taken in a 

 full stream, till symptoms of fainting manifest themselves, 

 and the animal staggers. This may relax the muscles, and 

 the opportunity must be instantly taken to give a powerful 

 aperient, as half a drachm of the farina of croton-nut in a 

 little gruel ; this medicine may be then followed up, if prac- 

 ticable, by full doses of salts, a pound in solution with 

 ginger, and afterwards at due intervals (every six hours) by 

 small doses. These medicines may be assisted by copious 

 and repeated injections, consisting of salts dissolved in five 



