1 68 Veterinary Medicine. 



trade in all departments, than in the number of deaths. Yet 

 even in this sense it may prove more ruinous than would a disease 

 having a less universal sway though far more fatal to the animals 

 attacked. 



Treatment. A disease like this, which tends to spontaneous 

 and perfect recovery, needs mainly dietetic and hygienic care in 

 the vast majority of cases. Rest is a prime consideration in a 

 pure genial atmosphere. In the summer season, in the absence 

 of rainstorms, an open air life, at pasture is the best. Shelter 

 must be had in case of storms, and iti the cold season a clean, 

 sweet, roomy, well-aired, loose box, with a sunny exposure, is 

 important. Clothing, bandages, blankets and even hoods may be 

 required if there is any tendency to chill. Food should be laxa- 

 tive, cooling and of easy digestion. Bran mashes, scalded oats 

 or barley, ensilage, roots, potatoes, apples, fresh grass or scalded 

 hay may be suggested. Milk has been strongly advocated, from 

 twelve to fifteen quarts a day, and linseed tea as being especially 

 adapted to the irritable stomach and bowels. Food should be 

 given often, in small quantities so as not to destroy the appetite. 



Costiveness is best met by injections of water, blood warm, or 

 if there is much hyperthermia, of cold water. This latter stimu- 

 lates the peristalsis more actively and at the same time lowers the 

 temperature. By unloading the large intestines it removes irri- 

 tants, without danger of encrease of congestion or diarrhcea. 



If anything more is wanted for these mild cases, small doses of 

 stimulating diuretics or diaphqretics may be given. Sweet spirits 

 of nitre ^ oz. or liquor of acetate of ammonia 2 ozs. may be 

 given twice a day, the latter in the drinking water or gruel. In 

 the absence of these, saltpeter ^ oz, or potassium acetate J^ oz. 

 maybe given. 



In the more severe cases more active treatment is resorted to, but 

 in all cases one should avoid measures that tend to greatly de- 

 press the vital powers and especially the circulation. Heroic 

 treatment has been all but universally condemned and yet 

 Trasbot claims to have had excellent results from a moderate 

 venesection (2-5 qts.) in strong, muscular, well conditioned ani- 

 mals. The blood became more fibrinous, the general symptoms 

 improved and complications were far less marked. During 

 twenty years, in a large number of cases, it had constantly the 



