302 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



starvation in dry seasons, from which they have been 

 known to die by thousands. (See Texan Fever.) Rail- 

 way disease is characterized by weakness, debility, and 

 fever, with complete absorption of all the fluids of the body. 

 These conditions naturally arise, 1st. Because of the salty 

 nature of much of their late pastures, which tend greatly 

 to the loss of the animal fluids and increased desire for 

 water as a consequence of the action of salt upon the 

 animal economy. 2d. The crowding of large numbers 

 in cars without food or water, except, perhaps, at long and 

 insufficient intervals of time, together with want of air, 

 proper attention, and expedition in their transportation 

 during the heated season of the year. 



Remove the cause, and the eflfect will cease, is particu- 

 larly applicable to this disease. 



Red Water. — This is a disease of milch cows soon 

 after calving, and consists in an altered condition of the 

 blood, in which the red globules are broken up, and the 

 coloring matter which is called hematosin escapes and is 

 passed with the urine. 



Cause. Obscure, but assigned to local causes such as the 

 peculiar properties of certain herbs or grasses which the 

 cow feeds upon. My opinion, however, is that the cause 

 ■will be found to be local congestion, the red coloring matter 

 is but the product — red-colored serum. 



Symptoms. Diarrhoea lasting for a day or two, followed 

 by constipation ; urine of a brown color changing to a 

 deep red, and in the last and fatal stages to a black, 

 resembling porter. 



Post-mortem. Appearances confirm my opinion that it 

 is local congestion that gives rise to red water. The liver 

 and kidney being chiefly implicated. 



