CONDITIONS OF HEALTH. 



and digest the bulky food, of which they consume 

 large quantities, when lying ddwn, Hence they 

 are sluggish in temperament, and of a plethoric 

 condition. They are, in consequence, peculiarly 

 susceptible to those blood diseases, such as An- 

 thrax, and Pleuro-pneumonia which develop rap- 

 idly, and, are usually fatal. ; " ' , '. ■ 



Cattle are not like the horse, fed for muscle 

 and nerve, and trained for speed, and so such 

 diseases of the respiratory organs as the heaves 

 are unknown among them, and those nervous dis- 

 eases common to the horse are very infrequently 

 found. They do not bear up under disease with 

 the fortitude of the horse. Their lower vitality 

 renders them unable to resist so successfully the 

 encroachments of miasmatic infections or con- 

 tagious diseases. 



In administering medicine to cattle, the pecu- 

 liar structure of the stomach should be borne, in 

 mind. Medicines pass through the first three 

 stomachs, and are mainly absorbed by the fourth 

 , stomach, and by the intestines. A torpid action of 

 the rumen, or first stomach, may delay the passage 

 bf the medicine, and sometimes the unskilled, not 

 getting the desired effect promptly, repeat dose 

 after dose. Mediciiies should always be given to 

 cattle in a liquid form. It is often well to add 

 some mild stimulant, as ginger or mustard, to 

 arouse action in the first three stomachs, and 

 hasten the passage of the medicine to the fourth 

 stomach, and theAintestines. 



The doses given to cattle are, as a rule, nearly 

 double those given to horses ; and there is a 

 marked difference in the action of certain well- 

 known remedial agents. Aloes, from its irregular 

 and uncertain action, is of little value for cattle, 

 though very efficient with horses, while Epsom 

 salts is an excellent purgative. Calomel must be *" IG - 943 

 given to cattle with great caution, as they are 



1. Olecranon; 2. Body 

 of the ulna ; 3. Body of the radius ; 4, 5, 6. First, second, and third bones of the upper row of 

 the carpus ; 7, 8. First and second bones, of the lower row ; 9. Rudimentary metacarpals ; 10. 

 Principal metacarpals ; 11. External digit ; 13. Internal digit- 



e 



Fore-arm 

 and Foot of the Ox. 



