282 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



Treatment.— Treatment of spavin in the ox, as in the horse, is 

 likely to be tedious, and not always resulting in perfect cure. Usu- 

 ally it is best to fatten the animal for slaughter. If, however, treat- 

 ment is decided upon, it should consist of complete rest and counter- 

 irritation of the part either by sharp blisters or the firing iron. It 

 is advisable to try the effect of blistering first, and for this purpose 

 the following mixture is recommended: 



Powdered cantharides drams.. 3 



Biniodid of mercury ._ do 'i 



Vaseline .ounces., 1£ 



Clip the hair off and apply over the inner and fore part of the joint, 

 covering the surface an inch and a half in every direction from the 

 enlargement, or over an area three to four inches across. Fasten the 

 animal's head so that it can not reach the part to lick it; after the third 

 day grease with lard every other day until the scabs come off. This 

 blister may be repeated three or four times at intervals of three 

 weeks. The lameness will generally begin to disappear about the 

 third or fourth month if the above treatment proves beneficial. 

 Should lameness persist, firing in points by a qualified veterinarian 

 may effect the desired result and should be tried as a last resort. 



In a case of spavin the cure is not effected by restoring the dis- 

 eased parts to their natural condition, but by uniting the bones and 

 obliterating the joints. If this union extends over the whole articular 

 surface of the joints affected and is sufficiently strong to prevent any 

 motion of the bones, the animal will again go sound. The joints that 

 are obliterated, not being those of motion, are not important, so that 

 the animal suffers no inconvenience in their loss. 



RHEUMATISM. 



Rheumatism is a constitutional disease due to a specific condition 

 of the blood and characterized by inflammation of the fibrous struc- 

 tures of the body. It is usually accompanied by stiffness, lameness, 

 and fever. The parts affected are usually swollen, bat swelling may 

 be lacking. The inflammation may be transitory — that is, it changes 

 from place to place. The parts usually affected are the fibrous struc- 

 tures of the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. The serous mem- 

 branes and heart may also be affected. According to its location, 

 rheumatism is specified as articular or muscular. According to its 

 course, it is designated as acute or chronic. 



Cause.— Among the factors which are actively causative of rheuma- 

 tism may be mentioned exposure to dampness and cold, especially 

 while the animal is perspiring or fatigued after severe physical exer- 

 tion. Among other causes often mentioned are acidity of the blood, 

 nervous derangement, microbes, and injuries. It occasionally follows 

 another disease, such as pleurisy. The influence of age and heredity 



