784 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



erable pain. (See Fig. 1031.) Fractures of the bones occur from 

 slight causes, and even from the action of the muscles. The dis- 

 ease may continue for weeks and months, or even a year, unless 

 arrested by appropriate treatment. A change of water is frequently 

 of importance, and nutritious food must be provided in suitable 

 quantities and at regular intervals. Food rich in phosphates is 

 specially beneficial. Two to four ounces of linseed oil with the 

 food will be found useful. If dyspepsia exists, it must be relieved 

 by suitable treatment. Acids, iron, lime, potash, etc., are indicated, 

 and may be used in alternation. 



Constipation is an irregular or infrequent discharge 01 feces. 

 The evacuations are passed in small quantities, in hard, dry lumps, 

 and at long intervals. There is redness of the mucous membranes 

 of the bowels, eyes, and nose, and a feverish condition. 



Medicines are not always needed ; linseed, bran, and green 

 foods or roots being often all that is required. Enemas of warm 

 soap-suds may be given. The animal should have plenty of water 

 to drink, with salt at least two or three times a week. Saline laxa- 

 tives, as Epsom or Glauber's salts, can be used, in spring and sum- 

 mer. In winter melted lard or linseed oil would be more suitable. 



DIARRHEA, OB "SCOURS." 



t 

 This is rather an indication of disease than a malady itself, and 



is the result of numerous causes, among which may be named indigest- 

 ible food, previous constipation, abuse of purgatives, worms, impure 

 water and air, acidity of the contents of the alimentary canal, or the 

 presence of irritants in it. It may result "from disease of the stom- 

 ach, liver, or pancreas, and it accompanies many blood-poisons and 

 constitutional maladies, as tuberculosis, typhoid fever, pleuro-pneu- 

 monia, etc. Cattle are liable to it when put on fresh, green past- 

 ures, and exposure to cold and damp may bring it on. 



Symptoms. — There is a copious fluid discharge from the bowels, 

 accompanied, sometimes, -with severe straining, occasional colicky 

 pains, and frequent and scanty urination. The milk dries up, there 

 is great thirst, no rumination, and a feverish condition of the stom- 

 ach and bowels. The belly is tucked up, and the back arched. 

 From inactivity of the stomach, food may pass undigested. 



In the treatment of this disease it is most essential to learn its 

 origin, or ascertain the conditions producing it, and remove them. 

 If there are local irritants in the intestines, or blood-poisons in the 

 system, which can be best thrown out by the bowels, administer 

 some of the milder cathartics, as Castor oil or linseed oil in 1^ pint 



