THE OX AND THE DAIRY 241 



the object either of diluting and carrying forward the pul- 

 taceous mass; or, on the other hand, of softening and break- 

 ing down the dry friable layers, and washing them into the 

 abomasum. We doubt not that a perseverance in this plan 

 might be productive of benefit ; and certainly it could produce 

 no evil consequences. Should the animal recover, the great- 

 est caution relative to its diet is requisite. This should con- 

 sist only of emollient mashes and thin gruel, till the stomach 

 is enabled to take by degrees the most simple green food. 



It appears to us that two diseases, termed wood-evil and 

 red water, are mere modifications of this affection of the 

 stomach, or are symptomatic of its existence ; and it is under 

 this impression that we here notice them. They certainly 

 are intimately connected with debility and functional derange- 

 ment of the digestive organs ; and an accumulation of matter 

 is always found in the manyplus. 



WOOD-EVIL, MOOR-ILL, OR PANTAS. 



This disease is brought on in cattle by their devouring the 

 acrid buds of trees, by bad winter provision, by impure water, 

 and similar causes. It comes on with febrile symptoms, heat 

 of the mouth, and quickness and hardness of the pulse ; the 

 coat is staring, the skin hide-bound; the eyes and nostrils 

 are bloodshot, the thirst is great, and there is obstinate con- 

 stipation of the bowels. The beast loses flesh, and exhibits 

 a capricious appetite ; it will pick up bones, sticks, pieces of 

 linen, &c., and grind them for a long time in the mouth ; the 

 filthiest puddle is preferred to clear water ; the urine is gene- 

 rally scanty ; it has a red tinge, and a penetrating odour ; 

 the milk is affected and disgusting ; there is an indisposition 

 to move, and the animal utters moans indicative of internal 

 pain ; the shoulders and chest are stiff, the flanks heave, the 

 limbs are unsteady, and the brain shows signs of congestion. 

 Such are the symptoms in violent cases, in which, if the dis- 

 ease be not arrested, the animal dies. The appearances ob- 

 served on dissection after death are inflammation of the 

 bowels, of the fourth stomach, sometimes of the lungs, and 

 a repletion of the manyplus with undigested and generally 

 compressed vegetable matter. In these cases bleeding and 

 aperients are the principal remedies ; but in milder cases, 

 where there is little or no febrile action, aperients alone may 

 be trusted ; or, if the abstraction of blood be deemed advis- 

 able, a small quantity only need be taken. A good aperient 



R 



