282 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
scatter in them the heavy oil of tar or strong carbolic acid. Though the 
disease generally destroys those which are attacked, we can fortunately pre- 
vent its spread by excluding from our herds the cattle from the districts in 
which it originates. If it does invade Northern cattle, they will not transmit 
it to their mates, and their loss will be the end of the trouble, provided no 
infected Southern cattle are tn the herd. 
RHEUMATISM. 
Rheumatism is caused by wet and changeable weather, by exposure 
to cold when warm, or when weak from some illness, by damp, marshy 
pastures, and the like. 
Symptoms.—The acute form is marked by fever; affected parts hot, 
painful and swollen; soon lameness; dry skin; constipation; reluctance to 
move and inclination to liedown; diminished appetite; listlessness; some- 
times tremors and adhering skin; lessened or wholly suppressed milk in 
cows. In the chronic form, which is more obstinate, there will be an 
absence of fever; parts affected painful, but not so hot and stiff as in the 
acute type; nearly all parts affected, but mainly the joints, the disorder 
shifting around. 
TREATMENT.—<Aconite is always best for the first, and is indicated by 
fever, cases resulting from cold, and irregular, jerking pulse, five to ten drops. 
every two to four hours being suitable as the dose. Bryonia is needed 
after the fever; or, if the fever has not wholly disappeared, give this and 
aconite in alternation, if the swelling (especially in the legs, shoulders and. 
sides) is not confined to the joints and is not particularly tender; and if the 
animal lies down, and the pain is worse by slight motion. Arnica is es- 
pecially good for cases resulting from over-exertion; for swelling and pain 
confined mainly to the joints; also for tenderness of the skin. Arsenicum 
is valuable if the feet be tender, and the animal trembling and reduced in 
condition; and it is also useful for cold, swollen joints, sweats, alternating 
heat and chilliness, and heart-complications. Gelseminum is invaluable 
for terrible pain; aggravated symptoms at night; loss of the use of the 
affected parts; swellings, shifting from joint to joint; legs affected and 
marked by coldness and paralytic weakness. Rhus is needed if stiffuess 
and lameness are more noticeable when the animal begins to move after 
rest. Should the above remedies fail or give only partial relief, give sul- 
phur a few days, returning afterward to the remedy especially indicated; 
it is also good to prevent a relapse in changeable weather. Give plenty 
of clean, dry straw, ina warm place. -Rub swollen joints once or twice 
daily. In chronic forms the cattle should never be exposed to cold or 
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