46 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



or altogether covered with white hair. Jaundice is then merely a 

 symptom of disease and ought to direct attention to ascertaining, if 

 possible, the cause or causes which have given rise to it. A swollen 

 condition of the mucous membrane of that part of the bowel called 

 the duodenum may produce jaundice, as that mechanically closes the 

 orifice of the biliary duct. In constipation there is an inactive or tor- 

 pid condition of the bowel, and the bile which passes into the intes- 

 tine may be absorbed and cause the yellow staining of jaundice. 

 Jaundice is one of the symptoms of Texas fever. It may also arise 

 from the presence of parasites or gallstones in the ducts, forming a 

 mechanical obstruction to the onward flow of bile. The conditions 

 under which jaundice most commonly calls for treatment are when 

 cattle have been highly fed and kept in a state of inactivity. At such 

 a time there is an excess of nutritive elements carried into the blood, 

 which is associated with increased fullness of the portal vein and 

 hepatic artery. When continued high feeding has produced this 

 congested state of the liver, the functions of that organ become dis- 

 ordered, so that a considerable portion of the bile, instead of being 

 excreted and passing into the intestine, is absorbed by the hepatic 

 veins. 



Symptoms. — This disease, although rare, occurs most frequently 

 among stall-fed cattle. Pressure along the margin of the short ribs 

 on the right side produces pain ; the appetite is poor and the animal 

 shows hardly any inclination to drink; the mucous membranes of the 

 eye and mouth are yellow, the urine has a yellow or brown appear- 

 ance, the animal lies down much and moves with reluctance, moans 

 occasionally, and has a tottering gait. The ears and horns are alter- 

 nately hot and cold ; in cows the secretion of milk is much diminished, 

 and that which is secreted has a bitter taste; sometimes the animal 

 has a dry, painful cough and presents a dull, stupefied appearance. 



Treatment.— In such cases it is advisable to produce a free action of 

 the bowels, so as to remove the usually congested condition of the 

 portal vein and liver. For this purpose we recommend the adminis- 

 tration of the following dose: Sulphate of soda, 16 ounces; molasses, 

 1 pint; warm water, 1 quart. The sulphate of soda is dissolved by 

 stirring it up m tepid water. Following this the animal should have 

 a heaping tablespoonful of artificial Carlsbad salts in the food three 

 times daily. This treatment may be assisted by giving occasional 

 injections of warm water and soap. The diet should be laxative and 

 moderate m quantity, and may consist of coarse bran mash, pulped 

 roots, grass m the season, and hay in moderate quantity. 



HEPATITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER). 



Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, and usually occurs as a 

 complication of some infectious disease. It may also occur as ai 

 plication of gastro-mtestinal catarrh, or in the hot weather from ZZ 

 heating or damaged (putrid or fermented) foods. 



