106 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



It does happen, however, that cattle that have been kept up for the 

 purpose of fattening, when driven some distance in very hot weather, 

 are sometimes prostrated, but it must be remembered that it is not 

 really necessary for the animal to be exposed to the rays of the sun, as 

 those confined in hot, close places may suffer. This often happens in 

 shipping, when they are crowded together in cars. 



Symptoms. — The premonitory signs are those of exhaustion — dull- 

 ness, panting, frothing at the mouth, tongue hanging out, irregular 

 gait, uneasiness, palpitation — when, if the circumstances which tend 

 to the prostration are not mitigated, the animal staggers or sways 

 from side to side, falls, struggles for a while, and then gradually 

 becomes quiet, or the struggles may continue, with repeated but inef- 

 fectual efforts to regain a standing position. In serious cases the 

 attack may be very sudden, unconsciousness occurring without con- 

 tinued or distressing premonitory symptoms. 



Treatment. — At first, when not very serious, removal to a quiet, 

 sheltered place, with a few days on a reduced diet, is all that need be 

 done. When the animal has fallen, apply cold water or ice to the head ; 

 rub the body and limbs with cloths or wisps of straw, and continue 

 the rubbing for a considerable time. If the power of swallowing is 

 not lost (which may be ascertained by pouring a little cold water into 

 the mouth), give 3 drams of stronger liquor ammonia, diluted with a 

 quart of cold water. Be very careful in drenching the animal when • 

 lying down. Repeat the drench in a half hour, and an hour after the 

 first one has been given. Instead of the ammonia, a drench composed 

 of 3 ounces of spirits of nitrous ether in a pint of water may be given, 

 if more convenient, but the ammonia drench is preferable. If uncon- 

 sciousness continues, so that a drench can not be administered, the 

 same quantity of ammonia and water may be injected with a syringe 

 into the rectum. The popular aqua ammonia, commonly called "harts- 

 horn," will do as well as the stronger liquor ammonia, but as it is 

 weaker than the latter the dose for a cow is about 1£ ounces, which 

 should be diluted with a quart of water before it is given to the animal, 

 either as a drench or an enema. When ammonia can not be obtained 

 a pint of whisky in a quart of water or an ounce of tincture of digi- 

 talis may be given. 



As soon as the animal is able to rise it should be assisted and moved 

 to the nearest shelter. All the cold water it will drink should be 

 allowed. The ammonia or spirits of nitrous ether drench should be 

 administered every three hours so long as there is much failure of 

 strength. The diet should be limited for several days — bran slops and 

 a little grass. When sighs of returning strength are presented, 12 

 ounces of Epsom salts dissolved in a quart of warm water may be 

 given in those cases which have been down and unconscious, but do 

 not give it while much weakness remains, which may be for several 

 days after the attack. The flesh of an animal that is suffering from 



