494 FEEDING ANIMALS. 



The udder has become inflamed, probably the teats are 

 swollen, the milk coagulated, with more or less fever. Now, 

 the prescription says, bleed, purge with epsom salts, ginger, 

 nitrate of potassa, molasses, etc. The operation of this pur- 

 gative is to irritate the stomach, alimentary canal and intes- 

 tines, and, by sympathy, other parts of the system, of neces- 

 sity increasing, at first, the fever and irritation, which it is 

 intended to allay. All purgative medicines operate by irri- 

 tation, and not as a solvent. It is a direct attack upon the 

 vital functions, which, in self-defense, pour upon it a 

 watery secretion from the mucus membrane of the stomach 

 and bowels, to dilute it and render it less harmful, while it 

 is conducted along the alimentary canal by peristalic motion, 

 and expelled from the bowels called a cathartic, because 

 nature kicks it out as an intruder, an enemy, yet this is 

 called science ! 



But, says the conservative, if this is at antipodes with Na- 

 ture, what shall we do to harmonize with and assist Nature 

 to recover her balance ? Let us see : 



The greater part of the animal body is composed of water. 

 Three-fourths of the mass of the blood, and nine-tenths of 

 the fluid secretions are water. All nutrient matters are con- 

 veyed in water to the blood, and through it to all parts of 

 the system. Water is the only solvent for the alimentary ex- 

 crementitious matter, and through which the wastes or effete 

 matters are expelled by the excretory organs. Water can cir- 

 culate through all the tissues of the body without producing 

 irritation or injury. In short, water is in perfect accord 

 with the whole animal system. 



Fever and inflammation are caused by some obstruction 

 in the circulation of the system, sometimes by a sudden cold 

 which closes the pores of the skin, and prevents the proper 

 excretions. In high fever, or inflammation, it has been said, 

 " blood is on fire ; extinguish the flame and the patient will 

 be well." 



