96 DISEASES OF OATTLE. 



hours) may be given for a short time, but should x be discontinued as 

 soon as the fever begins to abate. Aconite is a valuable drug in the 

 hands of the intelligent practitioner, but my experience leads me tc 

 believe that not infrequently animals are lost by its injudicious use. 

 for in many febrile conditions it is positively contraindicated, owing 

 to its action upon the heart. In a plethoric animal, with a strong, 

 bounding pulse, bleeding may be resorted to instead of administering 

 aconite. If the bowels are constipated, give calomel, 1 to 3 drams, 

 which acts as a cathartic and a febrifuge. In the second stage dif- 

 fusible stimulants are required, viz: Spirits of nitrous ether, 2 ounces; 

 aromatic spirits of ammonia, 1 ounce ; mix, and give in gruel three times 

 daily. If the above is not at hand, give an alcoholic stimulant. Hall 

 a pint of brandy or whisky may be given in a quart of gruel three 

 times daily. In some cases carbonate of ammonia, 2 to 5 drams, has 

 been found beneficial. Most practitioners apply counterirritants 

 externally, such as mustard plasters, turpentine, and ammonia lini- 

 ment, or cantharides. 



EMPHYSEMA (HEAVES). 



Emphysema consists of a rupture of the minute air vesicles of the 

 lung substance, and may be either interlobular or vesicular. There 

 is an extreme interference with respiration, inspiration being short 

 and expiration prolonged. It is a nonfebrile condition, in which the 

 appetite is not decreased and the milk secretion is kept up. It may 

 be caused by an attack of asthma, or may result from chronic bron- 

 chitis. The disease can be diagnosed by the marked interference 

 with respiration. The animal, as a rule, is emaciated, has a staring 

 coat, and is hidebound. If percussion is resorted to, the animal's 

 chest will give a tympanic, dram-like sound. The normal resonant 

 sound is exaggerated. 



Treatment. — The disease is incurable, and only a palliative form of 

 treatment can be carried out. The destruction of the animal is often 

 advisable, from a humane as well as from a financial point of view. 



PULMONARY CONGESTION. 



Cattle that are overdriven or overworked are liable to pulmonary 

 congestion in an acute form, and sometimes pulmonary apoplexy. In 

 such cases the animal should be allowed to rest, and if the weather be 

 hot put in a shady place. Give stimulants internally, unload the 

 venous side of the heart by bleeding, and apply stimulating applica- 

 tions to the legs, and bandage. 



HEMOPTYSIS. 



This is a term used to signify bleeding from the lungs. The trouble 

 may result from a previous congestion of the lungs, or from a break- 

 ing down of the lung substance, or from specific disorders. 



